Wranglers Beat RoadRunners 5-2

Phoenix, AZ – The Las Vegas Wranglers (31-9-7, 69 points) defeated the Phoenix RoadRunners (16-26-6, 38 points) 5-2 at the U.S. Airways Center on Thursday night. Forwards Kelly Czuy and Peter Ferraro each scored twice as the Wranglers won for the seventh time in the last eight games. Goalie Kevin Lalande picked up the win with 41 saves, improving to 10-3-2 on the season. The Wranglers rookie goalie was strong down the stretch, stopping 33 of the final 34 shots he faced, including all 18 in the third period. Left wing Brandon Kaleniecki also scored as the Wranglers improved to 21-2-3 all-time against Phoenix. Las Vegas will play in Bakersfield next Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.

In the first period, the two teams traded goals with Las Vegas tallying the first goal of the night at the 11:00 marker. Left wing Shawn Limpright found Brandon Kaleniecki in front of the net for a power-play goal and a 1-0 Wranglers lead. Kaleniecki’s 12th goal of the season came on the power play and was also assisted by Adam Cracknell. Phoenix countered to tie the game at one with 2:19 left in the opening period. Defenseman Ian Turner held the puck in and played it to the Las Vegas net. Forward Peder Skinner picked up a loose puck that bounced directly to him. Skinner scored his 15th of the season and sent the game into the second period tied.

In the second period, the Wranglers answered with four straight goals in the middle period. Right wing Peter Ferraro scored twice to increase the team’s lead to 3-1. Ferraro scored his 18th goal at 1:27 and his 19th goal at 3:32 on the power play. Left wing Kelly Czuy scored his sixth goal of the season at 9:56, pushing the Las Vegas lead to 4-1. Czuy added his seventh of the season and second of the night at 18:06, giving Las Vegas a 5-1 lead. Phoenix scored with six-seconds remaining the period as defenseman Ian Turner tallied his fifth goal of the season for a 5-2 Wranglers lead.

Las Vegas will play in Bakersfield next Tuesday night at 7:00 pm and in Stockton next Wednesday at 7:30 pm. Las Vegas will return to the Orleans Arena on Friday, February 15th to host Victoria at 7:05 pm.

Box Score 1 2 3 F
Las Vegas 1 4 0 5
Phoenix 1 1 0 2

First Period
Scoring: 1. LV Kaleniecki (12) (Limpright, Cracknell) ppg 11:00. 2. PHX Skinner (15) (Turner) 17:41. Penalties: PHX Angel (hooking) 10:50. LV Mulherin (goaltender interference) 12:01.

Second Period
Scoring: 3. LV P. Ferraro (19) (unassisted) 1:27. 4. LV P. Ferraro (20) (Donally, Mosienko) ppg 3:32. 5. LV Czuy (6) (Limpright, Cracknell) 9:56. 6. LV Czuy (7) (Power, Mulherin) ppg 18:06. 7. PHX Turner (5) (Nathe) ppg 19:54. Penalties: PHX Angel (cross checking) 3:20. LV Power (boarding) 12:01. LV Krischuk (holding) 12:58. LV P. Ferraro (high sticking) 15:48. PHX Angel (high sticking) 15:48. PHX Bell (tripping ) 15:48. PHX Rome (roughing) 16:07. PHX Sisca (roughing) 18:52. PHX Rome (roughing) 18:52. LV Krischuk (roughing) 18:52. LV Cracknell (tripping ) 19:12. LV Limpright (double minor – elbowing, unsportsmanlike conduct) 19:38.

Third Period
Scoring: None. Penalties: PHX Walsh (tripping) 1:27. PHX bench minor (too many men) 3:02. PHX Stevens (slashing) 7:23. PHX bench minor (too many men) 13:04. LV Peluso (slashing) 17:29.

Shots: LAS 9-18-9=36 PHX 9-16-18=43
Penalties: LAS 9-18 PHX 11-22
Power Plays: LAS 3-8 PHX 1-7
Goalies: LV Lalande 10-3-2 (41-43, 60:00); PHX Rudkowsky 9-17-3, (31-36, 60:00)
Referee: David Jones Linesmen: Chris Zorsa and Michael Sarter
A: 2,780

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.