It was mid-May when a beaten and battered Las Vegas Wranglers team limped off the Orleans Arena ice, swept at the hands of their fiercest rivals from Anchorage.
Another chapter in the rivalry was complete, with the Alaska Aces finishing a four-game sweep in the ECHL National Conference Finals just a year after the Wranglers ousted Alaska in the ECHL Conference Semifinals before advancing to the Kelly Cup Finals.
This weekend, the Wranglers will have the chance to stake an early claim in this year's edition as the Aces come to town for a three-game set starting today at 7:05 p.m. at the Orleans Arena.
"The past two years when we've played them in the regular season and playoffs, it's always been a heated battle," center Adam Miller said. "They have players there that don't like our players and there's always a lot of hitting. They're just one of those teams that you gear up to beat."
The rivalry reached a boiling point on March 25, when seven players were penalized for an on-ice brawl that began when Wranglers center Chris Ferraro collided with Aces forward Matt Stefanishion.
Ferraro retaliated with a slash before 16 penalties were dispersed amongst the teams, including two game misconducts to Las Vegas' Peter Ferraro (Chris' brother) and Tim Spencer.
In the aftermath of the scrum, Chris Ferraro suffered a season-ending leg injury while Peter received a season-ending suspension from the league.
The hostility soon spread into the stands too as Alaska fans took offense to Wranglers mascot, the Duke, throwing popcorn their way. The visiting Aces fans responded by throwing beer at the Duke as fights broke out in the arena.
"When we go out to Alaska, their fans don't like us coming in there and we don't like them coming in here," Miller said.
Both teams have met in the playoffs each of the past three years, with two of those series going to the Aces, including last year's four-game sweep in which the Wranglers were outscored 14-3.
After dropping their season opener 5-3 to the Utah Grizzlies, the Wranglers know they have to find a way to win this three-game series.
Last season, the Wranglers started 0-2 thanks to an opening road trip to Alaska.
Although the Aces are 3-0 entering into Thursday's contest, first-year head coach Ryan Mougenel thinks his young team is ready for the difficult test.
"It's real important that we rebound from last game," he said. "It will show the type of character that we have in the room by how we respond."
While last Friday's scoreboard showed the Wranglers were outplayed physically by the Utah Grizzlies, Mougenel wasn't as concerned with the physical play as much as he was with the team's mental play.
"It's not that the guys didn't work hard, it's that they didn't work smart," he said. "Our players have addressed it and it won't happen again."
For Mougenel, it will be his first taste of the Las Vegas-Alaska rivalry as he searches for his first victory as an ECHL head coach.
"I try to treat every team with the same sense of rivalry," he said. "But this is different because they win all the time and we win all the time. You get two teams that have competed the way these two have over the past few years and you're going to build a competitive spirit."
The Wranglers were 3-10-1 against the Aces last year and this year's Las Vegas bunch will be younger and less experienced than the teams that battled Alaska in the past.
But that does not scare anyone in the Wranglers locker room.
"They're one of the top teams in the league again," said defenseman Robbie Bina, who joined the Wranglers this year after splitting time last season between the Stockton Thunder and various AHL squads. "It's going to be good to see where we stand early. I've heard some things, I'm sure I'll find out more about it when the games start."
While the early-season showdown with the perennial ECHL power might seem problematic because the Wranglers have only been on the ice together for three games (two exhibition, one regular season), Mougenel isn't concerned.
"It's great," he said. "It's all positive. We need to be challenged and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Anthony Fenech can be reached at anthony.fenech@lasvegassun.com
Where is Steve? That is the mystery of the day.
I spoke to Steve last week before the Utah game and he mentioned he would be out of town...I expect him back sometime this series.
Steve, you've come a long way when there is more chatter about your whereabouts rahter than the upcoming Alaska series, and who is responsible for popcorn management or if Lance Galbriath will be a factor in the series even though he is suspended.
Anthony, you may not be Steve, but in my opinion you made good on this article.
It brought to light how deep this rivalry goes and just how good this series will prove to be.
I believe our guys are up for the challenge. They do not want a repeat of the last game. They most certainly will need to play 60 minutes and not let up, Alaska will no allow it. If Alaska is given even one milimeter they will take a mile.
GO WRANGLERS!!!!!!
Love this rivalry! One of the things that makes it so great is that 1000s of Aces fans have made the pilgrimage to the Orleans Arena to support their team. The Wranglers have an intriguing look this season and I don't think they should be taken lightly. One more thing- kilometer goes with millimeter and mile goes with inch. GO ACES!!
Scratch might be Canadian...they take their metric system very seriously eh! Unfortunately we can't make it down for this series but we should be there for the series in March. Is Duke still having the free popcorn promotion for those games? If so I might have to start sitting with the group although I've found that it doesn't matter where I am as long as I have an Aces jersey on he always seems to find me. Looking forward to a spirited game tonight and the entire weekend; should be a nice test for both teams. Let's hope it is a relatively clean, well played series. Best of luck and Go ACES!
Remind me in March, 213, so we can get together. Definitely want to enjoy some cold ones with you guys. I should have a few brain cells remaining by that series.
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I like the idea of more coverage for our boys, but not if it means replacement coverage.
Steve, we need you, man... Keep up the good work and the Jumbotron attitude...
Thata boy Steve. You are the man. I will actually be listening to the road games this year just to get your insight on the games and you better be giving shout outs, lol.
This just in from the RJ story on tonights game:
0.0 Reader Comments
Welcome back Steve...
Winthorpe, I'm sure we'll be talking here throughout the season and I will definitely give you a heads up in March when we come down. We've met a lot of nice Wranglers supporters on our trips down there and we always look forward to catching up with you guys when we come back. Enjoy the games this weekend and have a cold one or even two for me.
What's up everyone,
As Steve said above, I'm going to be helping with Wranglers coverage this year and I couldn't be happier.
I'm an intern from Detroit that's been hockey-deprived early on so I can't wait to get going.
Definitely shoot me e-mails with questions, story ideas or whatever.
I have been reading Mr. Fenech's work for quite some time now, including his time at the Detroit Free Press. The Wranglers fans are fortunate to have such a talented, dedicated and zealous journalist such as Anthony.
On an aside, #10 from Alaska has an awesome mustache.
Mr. Miller next time you come to Anchorage be sure to wear your Wrangler's jersey and I will personally come and welcome you to our arena. We think it is great that folks come all this way to watch their team. As a long time season ticket holder I have never observed one of our fans being rude to out-of-towners. When I see out of town jerseys I make it a point to go talk to the folks and have been told many times that they absolutely love coming to Anchorage and the Sully. A Florida fan told me this spring he had never been treated better! PS: I don't work for the Aces - just a fan.
Goaces,
I am like you and feel the same way. I always encourage visiting fans to stop by, have a cold one and talk hockey. That's what makes this such a great sport.
PS - Aces won it going away as you all know. No contest tonight. But it's early and it's 3 games. But I came away very impressed with the veteran team the Aces had out there. Well done. A well deserved victory.