Four-Goal First Powers Wranglers Past Thunder 5-3

Published on April 5, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers® (34-31-8, 76 Points) defeated the Stockton Thunder (32-33-7, 71 Points) 5-3 in front of 6,564 fans on Saturday night at the Orleans Arena. Forwards Scott McCulloch and Mick Lawrence led Las Vegas with two goals each. Forward Dan Riedel also scored for Las Vegas who finished the season with a 22-12-2 record at home. Las Vegas goalie Glenn Fisher made 35 saves for his 13th win of the season. Forwards Craig Valette, Brandon Naurato, and David Rohlfs scored in the Thunder loss. Stockton goalie Bryan Pitton made 24 saves as the Thunder finish the season 16-20-2 on the road. Las Vegas will host Games One and Two of the Pacific Division Semi-Finals this coming Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM against Bakersfield.

Las Vegas jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal from forward Scott McCulloch just 2:06 into play. McCulloch snapped in an Adam Miller rebound for his fourth goal of the season. Just 3:18 later, Wranglers forward Mick Lawrence stretched the lead to 2-0 with his 15th goal of the season. Forwards Kevin DeVergilio and Garrett Regan set up Lawrence, who put in a wrap-around shot at 5:24 of the period. Scott McCulloch scored for again at 12:34 of the first period. McCulloch jumped out of the penalty box and snuck the puck between the post and Stockton goalie Bryan Pitton for the 3-0 Las Vegas lead. At 15:45 of the first, Las Vegas forward Dan Riedel capped off a four-goal first period. Riedel one-timed an Adam Miller pass for his 23rd goal of the season and the 4-0 Wranglers lead.

Stockton chipped into the Las Vegas lead with a goal from forward Craig Valette at 3:52 of the second period. Valette let off a wrist shot from the right wing for his ninth goal of the season, cutting the Wranglers lead to 4-1.

In the third period, Stockton forward Brandon Naurato cut the lead in half at 4-2. Naurato picked up his first professional goal at 4:54 of the third period. Las Vegas answered back with a power-play goal at 6:22. Forward Mick Lawrence snapped in his second goal of the game for the 5-2 Las Vegas lead. At 13:55 of the third, Stockton trimmed the lead back to two goals. Forwards Mike Lalonde and Brandon Naurato set up David Rohlfs seventh goal of the season to cut the score to 5-3.

Playoff strip packages are available immediately at (702) 471-7825 (PUCK).

2009-10 season seat packages are on sale now at (702) 471-PUCK. The Wranglers play all 36 regular season home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. Individual game tickets are on sale now at (702) 284-7777.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 5, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central