LAS VEGAS – This series, between the Las Vegas Wranglers and the Idaho Steelheads, is something that the Steelheads are looking to repeat and the Wranglers looking to change. In that series, a much vaunted and initially successful Wranglers squad were defeated by the Steelheads in a surprising and disappointing upset, 3 games to 2. This season so far, the regular season record between the two clubs stands at 7-5 in favour of the Wranglers.
This year’s Wranglers squad, seeded number 3 and led by team Captain Mike Madill, is almost back to full strength heading into the second round of the ECHL playoffs. Forward Josh Lunden was recently returned to Las Vegas from St. John’s of the AHL and goaltender Joe Fallon, returned from his injury and success plagued stint with Houston of the AHL. However, defenseman Barry Goers, defenseman Jamie Fritsch and forward Peter Macarthur still remain with their AHL try-outs until at least when the AHL regular season ends on Saturday.
But even with those great players still away in the higher league, Las Vegas still has the services of some of the top players in the league.
Eric Lampe, Judd Blackwater, Adam Miller and Mitch O’Keefe all lead the league, or at least close to it, in most of the categories that the ECHL tracks. For example, goaltender O’Keefe leads all goalies through the first round of the playoffs in GAA, SV% and is tied for first in shutouts.
Number seven seed Idaho, on the other hand, is coming off a fantastic series against the first seeded Ontario Reign, eventually sending Ontario packing in the final fifth game. This was an unexpected result, since Ontario finished second in the ECHL at the end of the regular season and Idaho just made it because of Bakersfield’s horrible start. In the end, however, wins is what matters and Idaho was able to pull off the series upset.
Led by offensive standouts Jacob Cepis and Derek LeBlanc, in addition to perennial thorn-in-the-Wranglers-side, goaltender Jerry Kuhn, the Steelheads head to their ninth ECHL playoff appearance. It was Kuhn that was the main stumbling block for the Wranglers post-season chances back in that 2011 Western Conference series.
Also, it was Kuhn who stymied the Wranglers chances for deserved wins back in December, 2011 when the Wranglers were able to get nearly 100 shots on net in two games and were defeated in both.
All in all, the Vegas-Idaho series has the making of a heartbreaker for one of the involved clubs. Idaho, especially Kuhn, has always had the Wranglers number but they just came off a hard-fought and taxing series against Ontario after a very lackluster regular season. Las Vegas has been dominant throughout the regular season and swept the highly talented Utah Grizzlies in the first round.
Who will win and move on to face the Alaska-Stockton winner in the Conference Finals? We’ll find out in 7.
Contact Joel.Hoopaugh@prohockeynews.com
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