One of the desert’s best products unfolds in a cool climate.

The ECHL Wranglers begin their home campaign October 21 against the Stockton Thunder at the Orleans Arena.

This has been some team. Over the last two years, it is 99-25-20. The Wranglers established a hockey record—at all levels—by winning 18 consecutive games last year. That’s an entire month. Las Vegas also notched an 11-game win streak bridging season’s end and the early playoff round. Its 46-12-14 mark produced the highest point total, 106, in the entire 25-team ECHL. A playoff loss to ultimate champion Idaho, however, left something burning for this year.

The Wranglers have ascended under Glen Gulutzan, the 2005 ECHL Coach of the Year. Gulutzan, also the general manager, instills a dutiful work ethic.

“We’re a come-at-you-hard, in-your-face team,” Gulutzan says. “We start with defense, but we can open it up, too. It’s great to watch these guys develop, both as hockey players and people.  I’ve coached maybe 100 of them going into this fifth year and I would run out and have a beer with all but two or three of them.”

Las Vegas has become a powerhouse in the elite Pacific Division. It also has a crazy travel schedule to Western division outposts like Alaska and British Columbia. An elite team, Las Vegas looks to get over the hump this year.

 “Three out of the last four years, we have lost to the ultimate ECHL champion,” Gulutzan says. “What are the odds of that? Why that’s been true is a tough thing to put your finger on. I think to win it all you need to have everything break together—the good play, the bounces and no injuries.”

Las Vegas faces a stiff rebuilding assignment, having lost several players to European teams.

“We lost about eight of our top leaders,” Gulutzan says. “I don’t blame them one bit for wanting to go over and get the good money. We’re looking for some guys to step up. That’s one of the nice things about our league, though. Everybody is always rebuilding to some degree.”

The ECHL forbids teams from becoming dynasties. Each club is allowed only four veterans—players with 280 games, or roughly four seasons—of experience. Teams are constantly recycled and good franchises are expected to suffer a bit. Nine Wranglers, for example, gained promotions via AHL stints, a heartbeat away from the NHL. The Wranglers are affiliated with the Calgary Flames.

With players being promoted, communities identify with a product more than specific players. Las Vegas holds its own regarding attendance and draws casino personnel.

 “We’re really happy about being situated right there at the Orleans,” Gulutzan says. “We’d like the employees and the community to wrap themselves around this team. Hockey in Las Vegas is something special.”

It is also unique. The Wranglers are the only franchise to start a game at midnight. People have attended in pajamas. The starting time favors shift workers who would otherwise miss the contest. The midnight game this year falls on December 17. Las Vegas also holds an adult-themed night in March.

By the Book
This is the best month ever to savor the Vegas sports-book experience. It has the biggest compilation of sporting events.

Major league baseball playoffs begin October 2 and will run most of the month.

Weekends are a two-pronged affair with college football Saturday and pro football Sunday. Horse racing weighs in with the Breeders Cup, extended for two days for the first time in history, October 26 and 27. Huge fields seeking $23 million in payouts create the sport’s biggest weekend of excitement.

There’s no better time to experience the big screen. Oh, and don’t forget the National Hockey League season. Hockey looks awesome in the book.

Worth a Look
One of my favorite bets is the season over-under win total. It provides action every day without prompting a trip to the book. Baseball provided an interesting adventure. I hit the Angels over 88.5 and lost smaller bets both on the Marlins (78) and Orioles (74). They were both ahead of the pace until August, when a dreaded swoon drowned them.

The lesson about betting quality was applied to football. At the Hilton, I went with the Colts and Chargers, over 10 1/2 wins and the Bengals, over 9. Couldn’t resist one under, so the Vikings became a small play at under 6 1/2 .

Burning Rubber
Less traditional entertainment resides at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this month. It hosts the AMA Flat Track championships October 6. On October 27, check out the USAC/CRA Midgets.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.

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