When the cloud lifted, the Las Vegas Wranglers had defeated the Victoria Salmon Kings 4-3 to spoil Victoria's ECHL season home debut in a crackling good contest before 4,992 boisterous fans.

It was Las Vegas' 17th consecutive regular-season victory, counting the first four games of this season and the final 13 games of last season. Every once in a while you see an ECHL team that looks to be AHL calibre, and the Wranglers are among that group.

But Victoria gave them all they could handle. The game was not truly sealed for Vegas until Salmon Kings forward Marc-Andre Bernier's searing, potential tying shot rang agonizingly off the post with five seconds remaining as the Salmon Kings threw themselves at the Wranglers in an attempt to tie the game. It wasn't for lack of trying that the Salmon Kings, farm team of the Vancouver Canucks, fell to 1-2.

"I thought it was in and even lifted my arms ... the fans thought it was in, too," said Bernier.

"It just inched out. We created our chances, but just couldn't bury the puck," added the 2003 second-round draft pick of the Canucks.

"And we have to eliminate the turnovers in the neutral zone and in our own end. A team like Vegas jumps all over that. It was a fast-paced game with playoff-type intensity and great hits."

Former NHLer Chris Ferraro's powerplay goal at 12:40 of the third period broke a 3-3 deadlock and proved the winner for Vegas. Rookie pro Dylan Yeo of Victoria was in the penalty box at the time after the stick of the former Calgary Hitmen junior captain accidentally caught the face of a Vegas player.

Ash Goldie of Victoria had ripped the puck into the top right corner at 6:35 of the third period to tie the game 3-3 for Victoria.

Both goalies, John Curry of Vegas and Billy Thompson of Victoria, were well tested in facing 32 and 33 shots respectively.

Veteran Ryan Wade gave Victoria a 1-0 lead on the powerplay at 9:49 of the first period with Las Vegas two men short. But a last-minute goal by Bruce Mulherin of the Wranglers tied it at 1-1 at 19:18 of the opening frame.

Juan de Fuca minor hockey grad Adam Cracknell put the Wranglers ahead 2-1 on a two-man advantage at 1:33 of the second period. Kevin Estrada drew Victoria level at 2-2 at 4:20 before Mulherin scored his second goal of the night to restore Vegas' advantage.

Mulherin of Vegas, farm team of the Flames, was named the game's first star. Two Victoria forwards who were all over the ice -- Milan Gajic and captain Kiel McLeod -- were selected the second and third stars.

Robin Gomez of Victoria won the heavyweight tilt of the night, unloading a couple of shivering blows to the head of 2003 Flames third-round draft pick Ryan Donally in the second period to lift the crowd.

The clubs meet again tonight at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Centre as Vegas guns for its 18th consecutive regular-season win.