WRANGLERS FALL TO THUNDER 6-3, LV STILL LEADS SERIES 3-2

The Las Vegas Wranglers were defeated by the Stockton Thunder 6-3 in Game 5 of the National Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday night in front of 4,456 fans at the Stockton Arena. Stockton's trio of Jacob MicFlikier, Ryan O'Mara and Stephane Goulet combined for 13 points, including five goals and eight assists. Goulet tallied a hat trick and MicFlikier scored a goal and assisted on four others for a five-point night. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande suffered the loss and was pulled after giving up four goals in the first 8:17 of play. Stockton goalie Tim Boron posted his second post-season win, stopping 27 of 30 Las Vegas shots. Despite the loss, Las Vegas still leads the best of seven series 3-2 and can clinch the series with a Game Six win. Game Six is set for a 7:05 pm faceoff at the Orleans Arena on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Stockton stormed out of the gates, outscoring Las Vegas 4-1 in the first 8:17 of the game. The Thunder outshot Las Vegas 11-1 over that span. Stockton tallied just 1:02 into the game when Brandon Schwartz snapped a wrist shot past Kevin Lalande from the left wing circle, giving the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes later, Stephane Goulet scored his first of two goals in the period, giving Stockton a 2-0 lead. The Wranglers countered just 38-seconds later, left wing Kelly Czuy sent a backhand shot past Stockton goalie Tim Boron, scoring his third goal of the playoff series and bringing the Wranglers within a goal at 2-1. The Thunder charged back with a pair of goals just 20-seconds apart. First, Jacob MicFlikier scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, giving the Thunder a 3-1 lead at the 7:57 mark. Goulet, tallied his second goal of the period at 8:17, sending the Thunder up 4-1. The goal ended Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande's night, who was pulled in favor of back up goalie Tyler Sims. Lalande finished the night stopping seven of 11 Stockton shots, allowing four goals in 8:17 of play. The Wranglers pulled within a pair of goals before the end of the period at 13:51. Right wing Adam Cracknell, scored off a rebound of a Mike Madill shot. Cracknell's second goal of the playoffs ended the first period scoring with Stockton up 4-2.

In the second period, Las Vegas inched closer with a power-play goal at 9:08. Right wing Adam Cracknell held the puck in at right point and ripped a slapshot from the blue-line that beat Stockton's Tim Boron and closed the Stockton lead to 4-3.

In the third period, Ryan O'Mara helped the Thunder regain its two-goal lead with 9:58 passed in the final period. O'Mara launched a wrist shot from the left point that floated over the glove of Tyler Sims and gave Stockton a 5-3 lead. Goulet capped off his hat trick with 2:02 remaining in regulation, scoring an empty-net goal for the final score of 6-3.

The series will return to the Orleans Arena for Game Six and Seven. Game Six will start at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena on Tuesday, April 22nd. If necessary, Game Seven will be on Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Stockton Thunder -- National Conference Quarterfinals (best of seven series):
Game 1: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 2
Game 2: Stockton 4 at Las Vegas 5 OT
Game 3: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 2
Game 4: Las Vegas 4 at Stockton 3 OT
Game 5: Las Vegas 3 at Stockton 6 (LV leads series 3-2)
Game 6: Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena
Game 7: Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena -- X
X= If Necessary

Wranglers fans can catch all of the exciting Kelly Cup playoff first round action at McMullan's Irish Pub. Live via B2 Networks, follow the Wranglers as they face the Stockton Thunder on the road on Sunday, April 13th; Friday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 20th.

1 2 3 OT F
Las Vegas 2 1 0 0 3
Stockton 4 0 0 2 6

First Period
Scoring: 1.STK Schwartz (3) (Zanoski) 1:02. 2. STK Goulet (2) (MicFlikier, O'Mara) 6:09. 3. LV Czuy (3) (Madill, Mulherin) 6:47. 4. STK MicFlikier (4) (Goulet, O'Mara) 7:57. 5. STK Goulet (3) (MicFlikier, O'Mara) 8:17. 6. LV Cracknell (2) (Jozsa, Mosienko) 13:51. Penalties: LV Krischuk (tripping) 2:32. LV Strachan (goalie interference) 10:22.

Second Period
Scoring: 7. Cracknell (3) (Mosienko, P. Ferraro) ppg 9:08. Penalties: LV Seitsonen (tripping) 4:49. LV Power (cross checking) 5:49. STK Cole (hooking) 8:22. STK Zanoski (tripping) 10:16. LV Owens (high sticking) 17:23. LV Mulherin (tripping) 19:45.

Third Period
Scoring: 8. STK O'Mara (2) (MicFlikier) 9:58. 9. STK Goulet (4) (Micflikier) eng 17:58. Penalties: STK Cole (holding) 7:22. LV Burke (holding) 11:11. O'Mara (roughing) 13:26.

Shots
LV 8-10-12=30 STK 15-7-5=27

Penalties
LV 7-14 STK 4-8

Power Plays
LV 1-4 STK 0-7

Goalies
LV Lalande (3-2) 7-11, 8:17; Sims (0-0) 14-15, 51:30. STK Boron (2-3) 27-30, 60:00

Referee: Barry Pochmara Linesmen: Ryan Lewis, Greg Flueckinger

A: 4,456

2008 Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages are now available. 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.