WRANGLERS STUN THUNDER 4-3 IN OVERTIME, LV LEADS SERIES 3-1

The Las Vegas Wranglers edged the Stockton Thunder 4-3 in overtime in Game 4 of the National Conference Quarterfinals on Friday night in front of 5,556 fans at the Stockton Arena. Right wing Adam Cracknell deflected a point shot by defenseman Jason Krischuk, scoring with 40-seconds remaining in overtime to lift Las Vegas to victory. The Wranglers trailed 3-0 early in the second period but, mounted a four-goal comeback, with Cracknell capping the win in OT. Left wing Kelly Czuy scored the game-tying goal early in the third period. Las Vegas takes a 3-1 series lead in the best-of-seven series. Goalie Kevin Lalande stopped 36 of 39 Stockton shots in the win. Stockton goalie Tim Boron stopped 47 of 51 Las Vegas shots in the overtime loss. Forwards Ryan Donally and Aki Seitonen each scored in the victory. The same two teams play Game 5 at the Stockton Arena at 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 20th.

Stockton struck first with a two-goal lead after the opening period of play. Center Jacob MicFlikier fired in a rebound off a shot from defenseman Brad Farynuk just 3:18 into the game. MicFlikier's third of the playoffs gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Stockton continued their strong start by taking a 2-0 lead at 13:53 of the first period. Defenseman Tim O'Connell scored his third of the playoffs, floating a point shot through traffic and past Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande.

In the second period, the Thunder extended its lead to 3-0 after Geoff Paukovich poked in a rebound in the slot for his first career playoff goal at 1:51. The Wranglers charged back with two goals before the end of the period to pull within a goal at 3-2. First, center Aki Seitsonen weaved through traffic and slid a backhand shot through the legs of Tim Boron at 12:08, trimming the Stockton lead to 3-1. Las Vegas would capitalize on a power play late in the second period. Left wing Ryan Donally finished off a centering pass from Tyler Mosienko at 15:26. Donally's second goal of the playoffs was also set up by Peter Ferraro and pulled the Wranglers within a goal after two periods of play at 3-2.

In the third period, Las Vegas tied the game just 1:32 into the final period as forward Kelly Czuy snapped a shot off the back of the leg of Stockton goalie Tim Boron. Czuy's bank shot was his second of the playoffs and tied the game 3-3. The Thunder had a goal waived off with 6:09 remaining in the third period. Forward Stephane Goulet scored, but the officials ruled the Goulet had kicked the puck into the Las Vegas net.

In overtime, Las Vegas killed off three Stockton power plays and outshot the Thunder 16-8. After a flurry of shots on net, a loose puck kicked out to the Thunder blue-line. Defenseman Jason Krischuk launched a shot from the point, that right wing Adam Cracknell tipped passed Stockton goalie Tim Boron with 40-seconds remaining in overtime.

The series remains in Stockton, CA for Game Five on Sunday, April 20th at 4:00 pm. The series will return to the Orleans Arena for Game Six and Seven. If necessary, Game Six would 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 (LV leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Sunday, April 20th at 4:00 pm at the Stockton Arena
Game 6: Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena - X
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 0 2 1 1 4
Stockton 2 1 0 0 3

First Period
Scoring: 1.STK MicFlikier (3) (O'Mara, Farynuk) 3:18. 2. STK O'Connell (3) (Schwartz, MicFlikier) 13:53. Penalties: LV Peluso (interference) 7:18. STK O'Mara (hooking) 10:29

Second Period
Scoring: 3. STK Paukovich (1) (Monych, Verbeek) 1:51. 4. LV Seitsonen (3) (Czuy, Krischuk) 12:08. 5. LV Donally (2) (P. Ferraro, Mosienko) ppg 15:26. Penalties: STK MicFlikier (tripping) 6:50. LV Donally (interference) 7:54. STK MicFlikier (attempted spearing -- double minor) 14:30. LV Mulherin (roughing) 14:30. STK Huxley (unsportsmanlike conduct) 15:26.

Third Period
Scoring: 6. LV Czuy (2) (Cracknell, Mulherin) 1:32. Penalties: STK O'Connell (tripping) 7:24. STK MicFlikier (roughing) 10:15. LV Peluso (roughing) 10:15. STK Farynuk (roughing) 11:43.

Overtime
Scoring: 7. LV Cracknell (1) (Mosienko, Krischuk) 19:20. Penalties: LV Miller (tripping) 2:02. LV Burke (hooking) 3:59. STK Paukovich (hooking) 10:38. LV Jozsa (slashing) 15:33.

Shots
LV 10-13-12-16=51 STK 9-12-10-8=39

Penalties
LV 7-14 STK 9-18

Power Plays
LV 1-7 STK 0-5

Goalies
LV Lalande (3-1) 36-39, 79:40 STK Boron (1-3) 47-51, 79:40

Referee: Jason Nissen Linesmen: Ryan Lewis, Greg Flueckinger

A: 5,569

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.