GAME NIGHT NOTES 3/15/08

Tonight the Wranglers and Grizzlies meet for the tenth time this season and the 24th meeting overall. Las Vegas is 8-1-0 against Utah this season and 14-5-4 all-time. The Wranglers defeated the Grizzlies 2-1 last night, extending Utah's winless streak to five games. Las Vegas is 19-4-6 at home this season and 4-2-4 in the last ten games played overall. Utah is 17-11-2 on the road this year and 3-5-2 in the last ten games played.

Last Time Out
The Las Vegas Wranglers edged the Utah Grizzlies 2-1 in front of 4,956 fans at the Orleans Arena on Friday night. Left wing Brandon Kaleniecki scored the game-winning goal and goalie Daniel Manzato made 30 saves to improve to 21-6-5 on the year. Defenseman Jason Krischuk also scored a power-play goal in the victory. Utah goalie Mike Mole stopped 35 of 37 Las Vegas shots in the defeat.

Wranglers Roundup
Right wing Peter Ferraro leads the team in scoring with 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points in 58 games. Peter also leads the team with 204 shots on goal this season. Center Tyler Mosienko is second on the team in scoring with 56 points. Mosienko has tied the team record with an assist in six straight games. Center Greg Day set the team mark with an assist in six straight games during the 2003-04 season. Right wing Adam Cracknell is third in the team scoring race with 54 points. Cracknell and Ferraro are both within striking range of the team record for most goals in one season. Center Matt Dzieduszycki owns the team record after scoring 34 goals in 68 games during the 2005-06 season. Las Vegas has 10 games remaining on the season with seven of them at home. In order for the Wranglers to become the only team in ECHL history with three straight 100-point seasons, they must earn 10 points out of a possible 20 (.500 winning percentage). After starting the season 20-2-4, Las Vegas is 19-9-8 over the last 35 games. The Wranglers are 2-5 in overtimes and 4-7 in shootouts this season.

Roster Report – Barrett Added
Las Vegas, NV – The Las Vegas Wranglers® announced Thursday the signing of left wing Nathan Barrett. He made his Wranglers debut on Friday night, registering four minutes in penalties.

Barrett's rights were acquired on Sunday, February 24th in a future considerations trade with the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Prior to the trade, Barrett spent 13 games with the Victoria Salmon Kings, who released the left wing on February 23rd. Pensacola claimed Barrett off waivers and then traded his rights to Las Vegas. Barrett was late joining the team due to immigration paper work.

The sixth-year veteran registered three goals and ten assists for 13 points in 13 games with Victoria this season. The Vancouver, BC native spent last season playing in the DEL and FNL in Europe. In 34 games, Barrett posted 12 goals and ten assists for 22 points, to go along with 32 penalty minutes. In his fourth professional season, Barrett blossomed with 30 goals and 31 assists for 61 points in 78 AHL games with Norfolk. For his career, the 26-year old has 88 goals and 116 assists for 204 points in 304 games.

Defensemen Gerry Burke and Gord Baldwin remain in the AHL with Quad City. Rookie center Curtis Fraser remains with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage. Defenseman Tyson Strachan still is in the American Hockey League with the Peoria Rivermen. Defenseman Jason Jozsa also remains on recall to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

The Race is On
The race for the 2008 National Conference and Pacific Division titles is heating up. Las Vegas leads Fresno by ten points for the division and conference crowns heading into the final three weeks of the season. The magic number for the Wranglers to clinch the National Conference and Pacific Division is 15 points. The two teams meet for the final time this season on March 28th in Fresno. Las Vegas has not defeated Fresno in regulation this season. Idaho and Victoria trail Las Vegas by 13 points in the Conference. If they both win their remaining games this season, Victoria would finish with 99 points, while Idaho can max out at 91 points. Alaska remains a threat with 10 games left on the Aces schedule and a possibility of obtaining 97 points. The Aces are 15-2-0 in their last 17 games played. Alaska will visit Las Vegas Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:05 pm.

Grizz Bizz
The Grizzlies have been depleted by call-ups to Bridgeport of the AHL. Nine different Grizzlies remain on recall to the AHL. Utah clinched a playoff birth with Alaska's win at Bakersfield last night. Left wing Scott Burt leads Utah in scoring with 30 assists and 53 points in 60 games played. Rookie Keith Johnson leads the team with 25 goals and is second in scoring with 49 points in 59 games played.

Goalies Mike Mole and Nathan Lawson split time between the pipes for Utah. Mole is 18-13-5 on the season with a 3.29 goals against average and a .897 save percentage. Lawson was placed on the IR Friday and the team signed Wylie Rogers as a back up.

Tale of the Tape ...

GPG=Goals Per Game GA= Goals Against Per Game PP=Power Play PK=Penalty Kill PIM= Penalty Minutes Per Game

Next Game ...
Host Alaska on Tuesday, March 18th at 7:05 pm – at Orleans Arena

The Wranglers play all 36 home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Individual game tickets are now on sale. Fans may purchase tickets on the Wranglers team website atwww.lasvegaswranglers.com.or the Orleans Arena website (www.orleansarena.com. Fans may also purchase tickets at any of the following locations in the valley: Galleria Mall, Meadows Mall, Orleans Casino showroom box office, Gold Coast Casino showroom box office and the Sun Coast Casino showroom box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (702) 739-3267.

Call (702) 471-PUCK (7825) for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.