Wranglers’ win streak at nine

Only 15 games into their 72-game schedule, the Wranglers have already started four different goalies. They even had a Neil Diamond tribute artist on their bench as an emergency backup for Tuesday's home game against Bakersfield.

Local entertainer Jay White was one of only 14 players to suit up for Las Vegas, which has been left short-handed its last two games by a combination of injuries and American Hockey League call-ups

Nothing seems to slow down the Wranglers, though, as they cruised to their ninth straight victory, beating the Condors 4-1 at the Orleans Arena.

Peter Ferraro scored two goals to top 700 career points, and goalie Kevin Lalande nearly notched his second straight shutout to start his stint with Las Vegas (13-2-0), allowing a fluke goal with 3:10 left to play.

"The guys have been playing hard, within our systems and our identity," Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan said. "They're starting to jell and take pride in each other. I can hear them coaching each other on the bench, so that's a good thing."

Gulutzan was particularly pleased by the play of Sean Owens and Mike Madill, defensemen who are temporarily serving as forwards.

Madill set up the Wranglers' second goal, at 6:23 of the third period, stealing the puck at center ice and streaking into the slot before passing down to Brandon Kaleniecki, who lifted the puck under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

"Some of our defensemen have played pretty good up front," Gulutzan said. "Mike Madill, Sean Owens and Brandon Kaleniecki are a pretty good line."

Lalande made several strong saves and stopped 29 of 30 shots to improve to 2-0 with Las Vegas. He was headed for a shutout when Wranglers defenseman Jason Jozsa inadvertently shot the puck into his own net off the foot of Bakersfield's David Kudelka, who was set up in front.

Jozsa had blocked a shot on an empty net a few minutes earlier.

"I thought (Lalande) played solid," Gulutzan said. "His rebound control was good, and he was certainly tested more than the other night."

The Wranglers scored all their goals at even strength, going 0-for-5 on power plays.

Ferraro, who missed Sunday's game with a viral infection, netted his 700th career point with 6:29 left in the first period on a blast from the right circle that trickled between the legs of Condors goalie Yutaka Fukufuji.

Ferraro's twin brother, Chris, who assisted on both of Peter's goals, set up the score with a cross-ice pass.

"I actually didn't know I reached 700 points. My brother grabbed the puck and said, 'You reached 700 points,' " a hoarse Peter Ferraro said. "It was actually a shock to me. I'm happy to reach that milestone with my teammates here. These guys have been great."

Peter added his 701st point 7:52 into the third period -- with Ryan Donally assisting and helping to screen Fukufuji -- and Tyler Mosienko added an empty-netter.

The Wranglers get back in action early Thursday as they host Idaho at 9:30 a.m. for a school field trip game.

"We practice every morning at 10, so the guys are used to being on the ice at 10," Gulutzan said. "It's not a huge adjustment."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 383-0354.