WRANGLERS BEAT ROADRUNNERS 4-1
The Las Vegas Wranglers (43-12-11, 98 Points) defeated the Phoenix RoadRunners (22-35-9, 53 Points) 4-1 on Sunday night in front of 4,575 fans at the Orleans Arena. Left wing Nathan Barrett scored twice as Las Vegas improved to 9-0-1 against Phoenix this season. Forwards Aki Seitsonen and Adam Miller also scored as Las Vegas lowered its magic number to three points to clinch the National Conference and Pacific Division. Goalie Kevin Lalande held the RoadRunners scoreless for 58:33 before his shutout bid was spoiled by Ryan Walsh. Lalande stopped 25 of 26 shots, improving to 15-5-4 on the season. The Wranglers moved to within two points of the team's third consecutive 100-point season. No other team in the ECHL has ever recorded three straight 100 point seasons. Defenseman Aaron Power had three assists in the win. Las Vegas will visit Utah at 6:00 pm (PST) on Wednesday night at the E-Center in West Valley, UT.
In the first period, Las Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of goals by Nathan Barrett. The veteran winger scored his third goal with Las Vegas and sixth of the season just 4:40 into the game. Barrett finished off a nice pass from Aki Seitsonen for the 1-0 Wranglers lead. Barrett added his second of the night at 17:25, finishing off a breakaway and beating Taylor Dakers for the 2-0 Las Vegas lead.
In the second period, Las Vegas added to the team's lead as Adam Miller finished off a rush for his first professional goal. Defenseman Aaron Power set up the rookie's first pro goal at 16:41. Power left a pass in the right wing circle that Miller fired into the net with a one-timer.
In the third period, Phoenix pulled goalie Taylor Dakers for the extra attacker with three minutes to go in the game. While the RoadRunners were on the power-play, Las Vegas expanded the lead to 4-0 with a shorthanded, empty-net goal at 18:11 by Aki Seitsonen. Prior to the end of the game, Phoenix broke Lalande's shutout bid with 1:27 remaining in the game, as Ryan Walsh scored his 12th goal of the season for the 4-1 final.
The Wranglers will embark on a three-game road trip with stops in Utah, Fresno and Phoenix. Las Vegas will play in Utah at 6:00 pm (PST) on Wednesday. The Wranglers return to home ice on Friday, April 4th against Bakersfield and Saturday, April 5th against Phoenix. Both games start at 7:05 pm.
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.
