Salmon Kings Edge Wranglers 5-4 With A Last Second Overtime Goal

Victoria, BC -- The Las Vegas Wranglers (35-11-11, 81 points) were defeated by the Victoria Salmon Kings (35-16-5, 75 points) 5-4 in overtime at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre on Friday night. Victoria defenseman Gary Gladue scored the game-winning goal with seven-tenths of a second remaining in overtime for the Salmon Kings victory. The Wranglers five-game slide continues with the overtime loss (0-1-4). Forwards Marco Peluso and Tyler Mosienko each scored a goal and added an assist in the loss. Right wing Peter Ferraro and left wing Aki Seitsonen also scored in the overtime loss. Victoria also received goals from Wes Goldie, Ash Goldie, Marc-Andre Bernier and center Milan Gajic in the win. Las Vegas goalie Daniel Manzato took the defeat, stopping 30 Salmon Kings shots. Victoria's Julien Ellis improved to 20-8-3 with 30 saves in the loss. Las Vegas will conclude a six-game road trip in Victoria on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

In the first period, Victoria broke a scoreless tie with 2:12 remaining in the opening period. Right wing Wes Goldie fired a slapshot from the high-slot, beating Las Vegas goalie Daniel Manzato glove side for his 26th goal of the season and a 1-0 Salmon Kings lead. Just 1:05 later, Wes' brother Ash, connected for his team leading 30th goal of the season at 18:53. Goldie redirected a point-shot by Manzato for the 2-0 Victoria lead. Right wing Marc-Andre Bernier capped off the three-goal outburst with his 17th goal of the season at 19:32, giving the Salmon Kings a 3-0 lead after the first period of play.

In the second period, Las Vegas tallied the only goal of the middle period with a crisp passing play by the Ferraro twins. Defenseman Mike Madill held the puck in at the right point, snapping a pass behind the Victoria net for Chris Ferraro. The Wranglers center quickly turned the puck to the front of the net for Peter Ferraro. The Wranglers captain fired a one-timer past Julien Ellis for the only Las Vegas goal of the second period. Despite 16 shots on net in the period, the Wranglers were unable to get back on the board the rest of the period and headed into the third period trailing 3-1.

In the third period, Las Vegas powered back into the game with Marco Peluso spearheading the attack. First, the Wranglers trimmed the Victoria lead to 3-2 with Pelsuo's third goal of the season at 1:39. Tyler Mosienko jammed home a rebound for his 20th goal of the season 2:03 later, tying the game 3-3. Mosienko's goal was set up by Peluso and Mike Madill. The Salmon Kings answered back as Milan Gajic redirected a cross-ice pass from Kevin Estrada at 5:04. Gajic's 14th goal of the season gave Victoria a 4-3 lead. With Victoria on the power play, Las Vegas countered to tie the game 4-4 with a shorthanded goal by Aki Seitsonen at 8:04. Seitsonen's 10th goal of the season was set up by Ryan Donally.

With just under a second to go in overtime, defenseman Gary Gladue launched a shot from the far point, beating Las Vegas goalie Daniel Manzato just before the buzzer. Gladue's fourth goal of the season, came with seven-tenths of a second remaining in the game and lifted the Salmon Kings to a 5-4 win.

The Wranglers wrap-up their longest road trip of the season and remain Victoria on Saturday at 7:00 pm. Las Vegas will return home on Tuesday, March 4th at 9:05 pm to host Stockton.

On Friday March 7th, the Wranglers will wear specialty jerseys that fans may bid on through a silent auction on the concourse. A portion of the proceeds collected from the jersey auction will be donated to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. As part of the Wranglers Community First Awareness Program, fans may purchase a special $25 package that includes a St. Baldrick's Foundation / Wranglers t-shirt as well as their ticket to that night's game. This package provides the greatest amount of return to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. A ticket only package is also available.

On Saturday March 8th, after the Wranglers host the Phoenix RoadRunners at 7:05 pm the team will head to McMullan's Irish Pub (corner of Tropicana Avenue and Cameron Rd.) within 30 minutes of the completion of the game. Nine different Wranglers have volunteered to shave their heads at McMullan's after the game. Jason Dest, Aaron Power, Daniel Manzato, Sean Owens, Adam Cracknell, Jason Jozsa, Brad Cole, Bruce Mulherin and Ryan Donally will have their heads shaved for charity. Front office employee Victor DeMarco will also shave his head. Fans and St. Baldrick's supporters may donate money to the cause by sponsoring a Wranglers player on the internet at www.stbaldricks.org. In order to make a donation in a player's name, fans may search under the first name by typing in "Wranglers".

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.

Box Score 1 2 3 OT F
Las Vegas 0 1 3 0 4
Victoria 3 0 1 1 5

First Period
Scoring: 1. VIC W. Goldie (26) (Wade, J. Krestanovich ) 17:48. 2. VIC A. Goldie (30) (Ballantyne, Kelly) 18:53. 3. VIC Bernier (17) (St. Jacques, Yeo) 19:32. Penalties: LV Cracknell (double minor - high sticking) 0:20.

Second Period
Scoring: 4. LV P. Ferraro (26) (C. Ferraro, Madill) 9:58. Penalties: LV Cole (hooking) 3:37. VIC Yeo (boarding) 19:03.

Third Period
Scoring: 5. LV Peluso (3) (Mosienko) 1:39. 6. LV Mosienko (20) (Madill, Peluso) 3:36. 7. VIC Gajic (14) (Estrada, A. Goldie) 5:04. 8. LV Seitsonen (10) (Donally) shg 8:04. Penalties: LV Mulherin (triple minor- double minor attempted spear, roughing) 5:18. LV Czuy (roughing) 5:18. VIC Kelly (roughing) 5:18. VIC Lloyd (roughing) 5:18. VIC Lloyd (cross checking) 9:58. VIC Estrada (elbowing) 13:56. VIC St. Jacques (slashing) 17:41. LV C. Ferraro (holding the stick) 18:21. VIC Wade (roughing) 18:21.

Overtime
Scoring: 5. VIC Gladue (4) (Yeo, Krestanovich) ppg 4:59. Penalties: LV Power (interference) 4:13.

Shots: LAS 5-16-11-2=34 VIC 8-13-9-5=35
Penalties: LAS 9-18 VIC 8-16
Power Plays: LAS 0-4 VIC 1-5
Goalies: LV Manzato 19-6-6 (30-35, 64:59); VIC Ellis 20-8-3 (30-34, 64:59)
Referee: Jason Nissen Linesmen: Bevan Mills and Byron Ellingson
A: 4,802