Thunder hosts K-Wings for weekend

Tim Graham

When the IHL announced its 1998-99 schedule, the Las Vegas Thunder had to be excited. After all, it was slated to play its first seven games at the Thomas & Mack Center, providing a solid opportunity to get out to a fast start.

The Thunder, however, failed to capitalize. The seven-game homestand will come to an end this weekend with games against the Michigan K-Wings tonight and Saturday. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m.

Las Vegas is 1-4-0 after blowing a two-goal, third-period lead to the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday.

"Gaining confidence is crucial to a team, especially early," head coach Bob Bourne said. "But we can't put our heads in the sand. We just gotta keep playing."

As usual, it is imperative for the Thunder to capitalize on every scheduling advantage it can this season. Only seven of its next 28 games are on the road. The Thunder plays only one of its 15 December dates at the T&M because of the National Finals Rodeo and UNLV basketball.

The Thunder will play five straight games on the road starting next Friday at Kansas City.

The team did receive a bit of good news for the weekend when center Stefan Ustorf was cleared to play. Ustorf suffered a concussion in the first period of the Oct. 10 season opener.

It is uncertain, however, when front-line center Petr Nedved will return from his elbow injury. He has been skating in practice, but his status for the weekend is in question. Right wing Patrice Lefebvre remains out with a damaged left knee.

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