Wranglers Take Aces 5-2 in Game Three, Vegas leads Series 3-0

Anchorage, AK – The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Alaska Aces 5-2 at Sullivan Arena in Game Three of the National Conference Semifinals on Tuesday night. Goalie Kevin Lalande stopped 36 of 38 Alaska shots, including 16 of 17 in the third period to seal the victory. The Wranglers now lead the best of seven series 3-0 with a chance to sweep the Aces on Thursday in Game 4 of the National Conference Semifinals. Left wing Marco Peluso scored two goals in the team's fourth straight postseason win. Defensemen Gerry Burke and Jason Dest, as well as center Adam Miller also scored in the victory. Left wing Shawn Limpright and defenseman Tyson Strachan each dished out two assists for Las Vegas. The Wranglers will play Game Four on Thursday, May 1st at 8:15 pm (PDT) at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.

In the first period, Las Vegas jumped out of the gates with the first goal of the night just 2:10 into the opening period. Right wing Adam Cracknell flipped a pass from the left-wing half boards to the slot for Adam Miller. The Wranglers rookie center snapped a shot through the legs of Chris Beckford-Tseu, giving Las Vegas a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, Las Vegas doubled its lead at 4:46 with a point-blank tally from Marco Peluso in the slot. Cracknell played the puck from behind the net to the high-slot for Peluso, who snapped a shot off the post and past Chris Beckford-Tseu for the 2-0 lead. Just 1:28 later the Aces cut the Las Vegas lead in half at 2-1. Alaska defenseman Derek Martin rifled a shot that deflected off traffic and past Kevin Lalande for his third goal of the post-season. The Wranglers answered back with two goals in a 16-second span, starting with Peluso's second goal of the period at 15:10. Center Tyler Mosienko centered from behind the net for Peluso, who was camped out in front of the Alaska net and scored his third of the playoffs for the 3-1 lead. Defenseman Gerry Burke scored off a shot from the left-point that fluttered through traffic and into the Aces net at 15:26 for the 4-1 lead after two periods of play.

In the third period, Aces center Kimbi Daniels scored his second goal of the playoffs halfway through the final period to pull the Aces within a pair of goals at 4-2. Defenseman Jason Dest sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 22-seconds remaining for the 5-2 victory. Goalie Kevin Lalande stopped 16 of 17 shots in the final period.

The best-of-seven series remains in Anchorage for Game Four and Five. Game Four is set for Thursday, May 1st at 8:15 pm (PDT) in Alaska. If necessary, Game Five would take place at Sullivan Arena at 8:15 pm (PDT) on Friday, May 2nd. The series will shift back to Las Vegas for Games Six and Seven if needed. Game Six would be on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena. Game Seven is set for Wednesday, May 7th at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Alaska Aces – National Conference Semi-Finals (best of seven series): Game 1: Alaska 0 at Las Vegas 8 Game 2: Alaska 1 at Las Vegas 3 Game 3: Las Vegas 5 at Alaska 2 – (LV leads Series 3-0) Game 4: at Alaska – Thursday, May 1st at 8:15 pm (PDT) Game 5: at Alaska – Friday, May 2nd at 8:15 pm (PDT) - X Game 6: Tuesday, May 6th at 7:05 pm – Orleans Arena – X Game 7: Wednesday, May 7th at 7:05 pm – Orleans Arena – X X = If Necessary

Wranglers fans can catch all of the exciting Kelly Cup playoff second round action at McMullan's Irish Pub. Live via B2 Networks, follow the Wranglers as they face the Alaska Aces in Anchorage on May 1st and if necessary on May 2nd.

Box Score 1 2 3 F
Las Vegas 1 3 1 5
Alaska 0 1 1 2

First Period
Scoring: 1. LV Miller (3) (Cracknell) 2:10. Penalties: AK Neilson (interference) 4:04. AK Neilson (interference) 11:56. AK Martin (hooking) 17:25. AK Green (boarding) 17:49. LV Czuy (hooking) 19:12.

Second Period
Scoring: 2. LV Peluso (1) (Cracknell, Strachan) 4:46. 3. AK Martin (3) (Metcalf, Hemingway) 6:14. 4. LV Peluso (2) (Mosienko, Limpright) 15:10. 5. LV Burke (1) (Limpright, Strachan) 15:26. Penalties: AK Green (hooking) 1:36. LV Czuy (roughing) 9:11. AK Martin (roughing) 9:11. LV Jozsa (tripping) 9:47. AK Filion (hooking) 14:07.

Third Period
Scoring: 6. AK Daniels (2) (Shasby) 10:15. 7. LV Dest (1) (Mulherin) eng 19:38. Penalties: AK Martin (boarding) 3:44. AK Metcalf (slashing) 7:48. AK Lambert (roughing, 10-minute misconduct ) 17:25. LV Krischuk (roughing, 10-minute misconduct) 17:25. LV Dest (roughing) 17:25. AK Neilson (tripping, cross checking) 19:48. LV Fraser (roughing) 19:48.

Shots: LAS 10-9-9-=28 AK 9-12-17=38
Penalties: LAS 7-22 AK 13-34
Power Plays: LAS 1-8 AK 0-3
Goalies: LV Lalande 7-2 (36-38, 60:00); AK Beckford-Tseu 0-2 (15-19, 40:00), Schwarz 4-1 (8-9, 18:05)
Referee: Ghislain Hebert Linesmen: Steve Glines and Will Moran
A: 4,389

2008 Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages are now available. Fans may purchase tickets on the Wranglers team website at www.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, Orleans Casino showroom box office, Gold Coast Casino showroom box office and the Suncoast Casino showroom box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (702) 284-7777.

Call (702) 471-PUCK (7825) for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.