Wranglers Blank Roadrunners 3-0
by Andrew Nordmeier
December 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners
For the first time in franchise history, the Phoenix Roadrunners (5-10-2) were shut out. It wasn't particularly good goaltending that kept them off the scoreboard but rather a lack of offense. Phoenix had nine shots in the first period and a total of 17 for the game. That ties their effort against Long Beach on November 26 for offensive futility and helps to explain why they lost 3-0 and were outshot 36-17.
After a scoreless first two periods, the Wranglers (11-4-1) scored three times and moved past the Utah Grizzlies for third place in the West Division.
Las Vegas' first goal came after Phoenix goaltender Michael Mole was trapped out of the net. He was behind his goal when a pair of Wrangler forwards sandwiched him and the puck popped loose. Chris Stanley picked up the loose puck for Vegas and centered it to the front of the net. Chris Neiszner got there first and tapped the puck into the empty net at 3:08.
"Interference could have been called but if we have guy in front of the net it doesn't happen," Phoenix Head Coach Ron Filion said, "At least we have a chance to save that goal."
The real back-breaking goal was a shorthanded strike off the stick of Dan Tudin at 7:18. On the end of a 3-on-1 breakaway, Tudin found Mike McBain's rebound at the side of the net and slipped it past Mole to put Las Vegas ahead 2-0. Matt Dzieduszycki added an empty netter with eight seconds left to close out the scoring.
Mike McKenna stopped all 17 shots for his first professional shutout and raised his record to 4-0-1. Mole turned away 33 of 35 shots but was saddled with his seventh loss of the season (2-7-2). Phoenix finished 0-for-6 on the power play while Las Vegas went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
The game was delayed nearly 30 minutes at the 1:18 mark of the opening period for glass repair. Wrangler forward Todd Alexander checked Phoenix forward Mike Ouellet against the boards in the Vegas zone and shattered the glass. One woman was seen with a cut on her right arm but no one else was hurt in the incident.
Phoenix has a couple days to try and turn things around before they start a four-game road trip Sunday afternoon in Long Beach. Vegas hosts Idaho Friday and Saturday.
"Just when you think you have made three steps forward, the players bring you back four steps," Filion said, "Just when you think you've got something good, you have to go back."
Three Stars
3. McKenna-LV 17-save shutout
2. Nieszner-LV First goal
1. Tudin-LV Back-breaking shorthanded goal.
Notes: This is the fourth time this season Phoenix has finished a game with less than 20 shots on goal...Tudin's goal was the first shorthanded goal Phoenix allowed all year...Phoenix played without defenseman Ed Hill and forward B.J. Gaustad, both were reported to be late scratches but no further information was given...Las Vegas has now scored 16 goals in eight road games this season and is 3-4-1 away from Orleans Arena...Shawn Snider's three-game scoring streak came to an end for Phoenix...Attendance was 3,889.
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