WRANGLERS TRUMP ACES 3-2
The Las Vegas Wranglers (41-11-12, 94 Points) defeated the Alaska Aces (37-22-5, 79 Points) 3-2 on Tuesday night in front of 4,554 fans at the Orleans Arena. Left wing Ryan Donally scored with just under ten minutes remaining in regulation to lift the Wranglers over the Aces. Forwards Nathan Barrett and Kelly Czuy each scored as the team improved to 6-0-2 over their last eight games. Goalie Daniel Manzato improved to 22-5-6 on the season, stopping 24 of 26 Alaska shots. With the victory, Las Vegas lowered its magic number to clinch the National Conference and Pacific Division to nine points. Despite making 35 saves on the evening, Alaska's Chris Beckford-Tseu dropped just his second decision in 11 starts this season. Aces forwards Olivier Fillion, Brett Hemingway and Josh Soares each recorded two points as Las Vegas took the first regulation decision in the season series. The Wranglers and Aces meet again at the Orleans Arena on Thursday at 7:05 pm.
Alaska jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 3:48 into the game as Josh Soares tallied his 32nd goal of the season. Brett Kemingway set up Soares goal with a drop pass to the high-slot, opening a shooting lane for the high-scoring rookie forward. Beckford-Tseu stopped all 18 shots he faced in the opening period for Alaska.
In the middle period, Las Vegas countered to tie the game 1-1 at 3:14. Left wing Kelly Czuy tipped a Jason Krischuk shot from the left point, past Beckford-Tseu for his tenth goal of the season. Halfway through the period Las Vegas moved into the lead as Nathan Barrett tallied his second goal as a Wrangler at 11:35. Barrett's fifth goal of the season was a redirection of an Adam Cracknell shot, giving the Wranglers a 2-1 lead. The Aces answered back with a power-play goal by Hemingway, who took a pass from Soares on the goal-line, then lifted a backhander passed Daniel Manzato at 17:31, knotting the game 2-2.
The Wranglers tallied a power-play goal in the third period at 10:15, taking a 3-2 lead. Defenseman Aaron Power blasted a shot from the high slot to the Alaska net. Left wing Ryan Donally tipped the shot past Beckford-Tseu for his 14th goal of the season.
The Wranglers will host Alaska on Thursday and Friday night at 7:05 pm. The Wranglers will then embark on a three-game road trip with stops in Utah, Fresno and Phoenix.
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.
