Wranglers wait to take on Grizzlies

Hockey fans in Las Vegas can blame the sport of basketball -- or sneaker giant Nike -- for delaying the start of the ECHL National Conference finals between the Wranglers and the Utah Grizzlies.

The best-of-7 series, which will start at 7:05 p.m. Monday at the Orleans Arena, probably would have started Friday if not for an annual Nike Coaches Clinic that will take place at the arena Friday through Sunday.

That's just fine with the Wranglers, who returned to the ice Tuesday for practice after earning a well-deserved three days off by disposing of Alaska in five games in a physical conference semifinals series.

"It's good. We've got a lot of guys who have some bumps and bruises, so it gives them time to rehab and try to get close to 100 percent," said Las Vegas defenseman Gerry Burke, who had a goal and an assist in Friday's 6-3 series-clinching victory at Alaska. "Practices are important this week to stay crisp. Both teams might be a little rusty from the layoff, but I'm not too worried about that."

Las Vegas will have 10 days off before starting its series against Utah, and the Grizzlies will have eight days off after beating Victoria in five games in the other conference semifinal.

"At this juncture, both teams probably needed some time off," Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said. "We've got contributions from everyone, and we've played very hard. It'll be interesting, because we're going to play another team that has played very hard as well. It's going to be a heck of a battle."

Game 2 will be at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Orleans Arena, with Games 3 and 4 scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PDT May 14 and 15 at the E-Center in West Valley City, Utah.

If necessary, Game 5 will be played at 3 p.m. May 17 at Utah, and Games 6 and 7 would be at 7:05 p.m. May 20 and 21 at the Orleans Arena.

The Wranglers went 10-1-0 against Utah in the regular season, but five of the last six meetings were decided by a goal.

• NOTES -- The Wranglers announced their 72-game schedule for the 2008-09 season, their sixth in Las Vegas. They will open Oct. 17 at Alaska. The Wranglers' home opener is Oct. 23 against the Ontario (Calif.) Reign, formerly the Texas Wildcatters, who will join the Pacific Division next season. ...

The Wildcatters' move will put five teams in the Pacific Division: Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, Las Vegas and Ontario. The West Division also will have five teams: Alaska, Idaho, Phoenix, Utah and Victoria.

"It will be good to have 10 teams back out here," Gulutzan said. ...

The Wranglers have scheduled their sixth annual Midnight Holiday Roundup for 11:59 p.m. Dec. 15 against Ontario.