Wednesday, March 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
When Las Vegas Thunder head coach Chris McSorley speaks about what his team must do, he enjoys turning phrases such as "punch the time clock" and "head to the steel mill" and "turn in a blue-collar performance."
The Thunder listened to its boss Tuesday night and manufactured a 3-2 triumph over the Cleveland Lumberjacks at the Thomas & Mack Center.
"I thought this was one of the hardest-working games of the season," McSorley said. "I was very happy with the technical aspects of our play."
Egor Bashkatov continued his role as juggernaut with a goal in each of the first two periods, giving him 21 this season. The International Hockey League's reigning Player of the Week has seven goals, seven assists and a +11 rating in his last seven games.
Bashful in discussing his offensive output, Bashkatov gives credit to the Thunder's resurgent defense. Ruslan Salei, a first-round draft pick by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks last year, made his return Tuesday to a blue line that has played exceptionally well of late.
"Our defense has come back finally," Bashkatov said. "When we're getting four goals against every game, it's hard to concentrate on your offense.
"But now I don't have to think about defensive play as much anymore. I can concentrate on scoring goals. The game is much easier."
Las Vegas limited Cleveland to 24 shots, 11 1/2 fewer than the Lumberjacks' season average.
"They were very aggressive," Cleveland head coach Rick Paterson said. "We weren't able to set up in our offensive zone."
Early in the game, however, the Thunder seemed out to lunch. Former Thunder forward Brad Lauer scored an easy goal 1:39 into the first period. Lauer tapped the puck past goaltender Andre Racicot, who had no clue the puck was slowly trickling between his legs as he looked down ice.
But Las Vegas responded with three straight scores. Bashkatov tied the game on a power play with his 20th goal at 16:47 of the first and gave the Thunder a permanent lead with his 21st at 4:36 of the second.
Seven minutes later, defenseman Steve Bancroft scored his 12th of the season to give the Thunder a 3-1 advantage.
Cleveland got within a goal at 6:09 of the third period when Tyler Wright beat Racicot shorthanded. It then blew a prime opportunity to tie the game as Lauer and Jock Callander charged on a 2-on-1. Lauer fed Callander close but the shot was high.
Racicot raised his record to 7-7-2. Lumberjacks goalie Derek Wilkinson, who also saw 24 shots, fell to 14-13-5.
Thunderbolts
* TROMBLEY BACK: The Thunder recalled tough guy Rhett Trombley from Toledo of the East Coast Hockey League. He will be in uniform tonight for its 5:30 game at San Antonio. "He had a chance to get some good ice time in Toledo," Thunder head coach Chris McSorley said. "He has his head on straight and he's ready to go." Trombley's presence is essential because Las Vegas will be without Jeff Serowik, who has a strained groin.
* SLAP SHOTS: Tonight's game marks the midpoint of the Thunder's grueling stretch of seven games in nine days. Long Beach and Cleveland come to Las Vegas Friday and Saturday, respectively, before the Thunder heads to Phoenix Sunday. Then it is off for four days. ... Tuesday marked the return of referee Blaine Angus to the Thomas & Mack Center. He was involved in the infamous hot dog incident, in which he accused Thunder general manager Bob Strumm of sending several hot dogs to the officials' dressing room. During the second intermission against Kansas City Oct. 29, Strumm confronted Angus. Strumm allegedly called Angus, a National Hockey League official, "a hot dog" then added mustard by sending the wieners. Strumm denied doing it.
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