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Wranglers Win in Idaho, 6-5 / Clinch Playoff Spot

March 6, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev-The Las Vegas Wranglers® defeated the Idaho Steelheads Saturday night at Qwest Arena in front of 5,228. Aaron Power led the way for the Wranglers with three goals on three shots and the third star of the night award. Chris Francis tallied twice for Las Vegas and Josh Lunden added one goal as well. Ryan Huddy had a hat trick in assists and Craig Switzer followed him with two helpers in the win. For Idaho Mark Derlgao had a huge night stats wise but it was not enough to lead his team to victory. Derlago ended the night with four goals and one assist to go along with his first star of the night award. Kael Mouillierat scored the other goal for Idaho to go along with his assist and Evan Barlow racked up four assists to go along with second star of the night recognition. The Wranglers tallied twice on their three power play opportunities while giving up one goal on their five penalty kills. Idaho goaltender Adrien Lemay made 22 saves on 28 shots and takes his first loss of the season dropping his record to 4-1-0. Billy Sauer made the start for the Wranglers in net but was replaced by Michael Ouzas after giving up three goals on 12 shots in the first period. Ouzas made ten saves on 12 shots in the final two periods earning the win and improving his record to 16-11-2. The loss bumps Idaho off their six-game point streak as they slide to 28-19-12 and hold the second place spot in the Mountain division. The win improves the Wranglers record to 5-1-1 this season against the Steelheads, 17-9-4 on the road, and 34-19-5 overall. The Wranglers still hold control of the top spot in the Pacific division and Western Conference and with the win Las Vegas is officially the first team to clinch a playoff spot.

Steelheads' left wingers Mark Derlago and Evan Barlow both had the number four on their minds Saturday night. They teamed up for Derlago's first goal of the night at 3:32 of the first period earning their first goal and first assist of the night. Las Vegas answered back with Aaron power who was thinking more about the number three instead. He tallied his first goal of the night at 5:31 of the first period assisted by Ryan Huddy and Tyler Mosienko while the Wranglers were on the power play to tie the game at one. Kael Mouillierat scored his twentieth goal of the season at 10:46 of the first period assisted by Evan Barlow and Mark Derlago to give Idaho the 2-1 lead. Mark Derlago added another one at the 18:43 mark of the first period assisted by Evan Barlow and Dustin Friesen this time while the Steelheads were on the power play. After one period Idaho was on top 3-1 and both teams had fired a dozen shots on net.

Aaron Power recorded his second goal of the night while Las Vegas was one the power play at 2:41 of the second period assists going to Craig Switzer and Barry Goers to make the game 3-2. Derlago answered back again for Idaho at the 4:52 mark of the second period assisted by Evan Barlow and Kael Mouillierat to extended the lead back out to 4-2. Power got his hat trick at the 12:37 mark of the second period with his sixth goal of the season assists going to Justin Bernhardt and Ryan Huddy making the score 4-3. Idaho tallied the final goal of the second period with Mark Derlago's team leading thirty-second goal of the season assisted by Matt Case and Junior Lessard. After two periods Idaho was still on top by two as they had been after the first period but the score was now 5-3.

The Wranglers came back out for the third period relying heavily on previous experience scoring multiple goals late in games. Las Vegas scored the only goals of the final period and outshot Idaho 8-2 which turned the tables in favor of the Western conference leaders. Chris Francis went unassisted with his third goal of the season at the 4:14 mark of the third period to pull Las Vegas back within one. Francis tied the game at 13:16 of the third period with his second goal of the frame assisted by Craig Switzer. The Wranglers took their first lead of the night at the 16:37 mark of the third period with Josh Lunden's fifth goal of the season assisted by Ryan Huddy. Six goals proved to be too much for Idaho as they pulled Lemay for the extra skater but could not tie the game and the Wranglers ended up with the come from behind win, 6-5.

The Wranglers now head to Ontario for a two game series beginning March 11th.

The Las Vegas Wranglers® are the ECHL affiliate to the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes and the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage.

2010-11 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 adjacent to the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue.

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