GAME NIGHT NOTES – 3/8/08

Tonight the Wranglers and RoadRunners meet for the ninth time this season and the 27th meeting overall. Las Vegas is 7-0-1 against Phoenix this season and 21-2-3 all-time. The Wranglers are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to Bakersfield on Friday night, while the RoadRunners defeated the Condors 5-4 Thursday night in Phoenix. Las Vegas is 17-4-6 at home this season and 4-2-4 in the last ten games played overall. Phoenix is 9-16-5 on the road this year and 2-7-1 in the last ten games played.

Last Time Out
The Las Vegas Wranglers were edged by the Bakersfield Condors 2-1 in a shootout Friday night at the Orleans Arena. Bakersfield goalie Michel Robinson stopped 34 of 35 shots in regulation and all five in the shootout to preserve the Condors win. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande stopped 29 of 30 in regulation and four of five in the shootout, suffering the loss. Wranglers Captain Peter Ferraro and Condors winger Mark Derlago each scored in regulation.

Wranglers “Over 18” Promotion Boosts Ticket Sales
The Las Vegas Wranglers announced that Tuesday’s “Over 18” promotion may have been unconventional, but it moved the needle on ticket sales and made new hockey fans of those who had never attended a Wranglers’ game before.

Tuesday’s attendance of 4,413 was over 1,000 fans more than the average attendance (3,403) for Tuesday night games this season, and the most highly attended Tuesday night Wranglers home game since March 21, 2006 when the team drew 4,719. It was the 4th highest attended Tuesday Wranglers game, excluding three season opening nights, in the team’s history - a total of 41 Tuesday nights. The game drew more than 500 fans over the team’s all time attendance average for Tuesday night home games.

Wranglers Roundup
Right wing Peter Ferraro leads the team in scoring with 29 goals and 31 assists for 60 points in 55 games. Peter also leads the team with 193 shots on goal this season. Center Tyler Mosienko is second on the team in scoring with 53 points. Right wing Adam Cracknell is fourth in the team scoring race with 50 points. Cracknell has not scored since February 18th. Las Vegas has 13 games remaining on the season with 10 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 15 points out of a possible 26 (.577 winning percentage). After starting the season 20-2-4, Las Vegas is 17-9-7 over the last 33 games.

Roster Report – Sciba Traded to Dayton, Brudzewski Added The Las Vegas Wranglers announced Thursday that the team has traded forward Josh Sciba to the Dayton Bombers for future considerations. Sciba leaves the Wranglers after playing in 22 games, scoring six goals and one assist for seven points. Prior to joining the Wranglers, Sciba played in four games with Bakersfield, scoring one goal. Forward Steve Brudzewski has been added to the line-up. A Las Vegas local, Brudzewski last played professionally in 2004-05 with the Dayton Bombers. In ten games, the 27-year old posted two goals and six points. Brudzewski played four years at Bowling Green University, posting 35 goals and 61 points in 140 NCAA games. Brudzewski made his debut on Friday, March 7th.

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 remains in the American Hockey League with the Peoria Rivermen. Defenseman Jason Jozsa also remains on recall to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

Gomez Suspended for Rest of Season and Playoffs
PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL announced Thursday that Victoria left wing Robin Gomez has been suspended for the remainder of the 2007-08 regular season and the entirety of the Kelly Cup Playoffs for his actions in ECHL Game #702 against Las Vegas on March 1.

Gomez has also been fined him the maximum amount allowed under Article X, Section 5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. Gomez left the players bench and proceeded to throw a forceful punch, deliberately injuring an unsuspecting opponent. Gomez was assessed a minor penalty for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and a match penalty under Rule 21.1 - Attempt/Deliberate injury at 9:34 of the second period.

Road Runners Report The RoadRunners have been active over the last few weeks with plenty of roster moves to prepare for the 2008 Kelly Playoffs. Phoenix added seven new players in the last month. Center Daniel Sisca leads the team in scoring with 39 assists and 56 points in 59 games played. Former Wrangler, Sean O’Connor leads the team with 23 goals in 51 games played. O’Connor played in Las Vegas from 2005-07. Phoenix recently acquired Dusty Jamieson from the Charlotte Checkers. Jamieson has five seasons with 20 goals or more and two seasons over 30 goals. The team also added 6-foot-6, 230-pound defenseman Brett Angel.

Goalies Taylor Dakers and Dave McKee split time between the pipes for Phoenix. Dakers was recently assigned by the Worchester Sharks of the AHL. In three starts, Dakers is 2-1-0 with a 2.68 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. McKee is 6-11-4 with a 3.92 goals against average and a .894 save percentage.

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 Utah on Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th 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.