Seitsonen lifts Wranglers over Grizzlies in OT

Many in attendance called it justice. The Wranglers simply called Game 2 of the National Conference finals a win -- and a big one at that.

After Las Vegas allowed a questionable game-tying goal by the Grizzlies with one second remaining in regulation, Aki Seitsonen scored 1:36 into overtime to give the Wranglers a dramatic 4-3 victory over Utah on Tuesday at the Orleans Arena.

Playing in its first conference finals, Las Vegas is two wins from advancing to its first ECHL Kelly Cup finals.

The best-of-7 series now shifts to Utah's E-Center, where Games 3 and 4 are scheduled to be played Thursday and Friday. Utah also would host Game 5, if necessary, Sunday.

Jason Krischuk set up the winning score with a blast from the right point that bounced off Grizzlies goalie Mike Mole (34 saves) into the slot. Seitsonen spun off a Utah defenseman and quickly fired a back-hander into the back of the net, sending the crowd of 4,310 into a frenzy.

"I was lucky. I just put my stick on the ice and it was right there. I don't think the goalie even saw it," said Seitsonen, who also scored to tie it 1-1 in the second period. "We talked about it before overtime that any shot you can get, just put it on net. That was in my head."

The Wranglers appeared headed for a victory in regulation, but Utah's Olivier Labelle beat the buzzer, scoring from a scrum in front of the net with one second left.

The Grizzlies celebrated and both teams left the ice before the officials conferred and awarded Utah a goal, drawing a loud chorus of boos from the crowd.

Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande (22 saves) said goalie interference should have been called on the play, but he and the rest of the team didn't dispute the goal was scored before time expired.

"I saw the puck go over my shoulder and I was thinking, Did the buzzer go off or not? and then I heard it," said Lalande, who turned in another solid performance en route to his ninth playoff win. "We got a couple breaks in the last couple of games, and they finally got their break."

Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan gave a speech to his players before overtime started, and it proved prophetic.

"I tell them the same thing all the time, these (overtime games) usually end early so don't pass up a shot," he said. "Aki spun off a check and batted it out of the air. It was a little bit of a lucky goal, but that's the way it goes."

Adam Cracknell scored two goals for Las Vegas, snapping a shot from the top of the left circle 8:02 into the third period to give the Wranglers a 3-2 lead.

"He was dangerous," Gulutzan said. "He's got a hard shot that catches goalies by surprise. He's got a major league shot."

Michael Haley scored the first two goals for the Grizzlies, with Las Vegas failing to clear the puck out of its zone both times.

Haley gave Utah a 1-0 lead 2:32 into the second period, but the Wranglers responded with two goals in 2:22 later in the second period to take a 2-1 lead.

Seitsonen buried a rebound of a blast by Aaron Power with 6:36 left, and Cracknell scored from the right circle with 4:14 remaining off a nice feed from Limpright, who made the pass while sitting on the ice.

Haley cashed in on another turnover 3:31 into the third period to tie the game 2-2, stealing the puck in the slot and rifling it past Lalande.