Aces Sink Wranglers in Overtime with 6-5 Win in Game Four, Vegas Leads Series 3-1

May 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Las Vegas Wranglers were edged by the Alaska Aces 6-5 in overtime at Sullivan Arena in Game Four of the National Conference Semifinals on Thursday night. Aces forward F.P. Guenette scored the game-winning goal 8:17 into overtime as Alaska avoided a second round sweep and forced Game Five on Friday night in Anchorage. Las Vegas suffered its first overtime loss of the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs and fell to 0-3 in overtime playoff games at Sullivan Arena. Wranglers forward Peter Ferraro scored two goals in the third period, lifting Las Vegas to a 5-4 lead after Alaska scored three unanswered goals to claim a 4-3 lead in the final period. Aces right wing Cam Keith scored a shorthanded goal with 40-seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game 5-5 and forcing overtime. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande suffered the loss, his first in his last five starts, stopping 28 of 34 Alaska shots. Aces goalie Marek Schwarz stopped 27 of 31 Wranglers shots in the win. The Wranglers will play Game Five on Friday, May 2nd at 8:15 pm (PDT) at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.

After a scoreless first period, the Wranglers outscored the Aces 3-1 for a two-goal lead after two periods of play. Las Vegas scored the opening goal for the fourth straight game against Alaska with Kelly Czuy scoring just 1:06 into the middle period. Defenseman Gerry Burke held the puck at the left point, sending a cross-ice pass for defenseman Jason Krischuk, who rifled a shot on the net from the blue-line. Alaska goalie Marek Schwarz made the intial save but, Czuy sent the rebound into the Aces net for his fourth goal of the playoffs and a 1-0 Wranglers lead. Las Vegas took a 2-0 lead on a great individual effort by left wing Bruce Mulherin. Czuy sprung Mulherin in over the Alaska line, who then carried the puck in behind the Aces net. Mulherin walked out from behind the net and lifted a backhand shot over Schwarz at 4:23 for his second goal of the playoffs and a 2-0 Las Vegas lead. The Aces struck back with a quick goal right off a face-off in the Wranglers zone. Alaska center Kimbi Daniels played the puck to Matt Robinson, who ripped a shot past Kevin Lalande at 5:50, bringing Alaska with a goal at 2-1. The Wranglers expanded their lead late in the second period with Peter Ferraro picking off a pass at center ice and sending Adam Miller back in over the Aces line with Shawn Limpright. Miller set up Limpright's fourth goal of the playoffs, completing a 2-on-1 rush and giving the Wranglers a 3-1 lead. The Wranglers outshot the Aces 15-6 in the second period.

In a wild third period, Alaska charged out of the gates with three power-play goals in the first six minutes of the final period. F.P Guenette snapped a shot from the left-wing circle, bringing the Aces within a goal just 1:20 into the final period. The power-play goal sparked a come back and the Aces tallied another power-play goal less than two minutes later, tying the game 3-3. Olivier Filion finished off a centering pass from Josh Soares, beating Kevin Lalande five-hole and tying the game with his second goal of the playoffs. With a fourth consecutive power play, Alaska took their first lead of the series with their fourth goal of the evening at 6:02, capping off the three goal outburst. Soares snapped a shot from the right-wing circle, beating Lalande up high on the glove side for his second goal of the playoffs. Trailing 4-3, Las Vegas took advantage of its fifth power play of the night, scoring at 14:01. Defenseman Jason Jozsa held the puck in at the far point and sent a cross-ice pass to the left-wing circle. Right wing Peter Ferraro blasted a one-timer under the cross bar and into the back of the net, tying the game 4-4. With 2:23 remaining, Ferraro struck for his second tally of the night, pushing Las Vegas in front 5-4. After a Peter Metcalf penalty left the Aces shorthanded in the final minute, the Aces pulled goalie Marek Schwarz for the extra skater. Right wing Cam Keith pulled a back hand shot from behind the net and tied the game 5-5 with 40-seconds remaining, forcing overtime. Keith shorthanded tally was his second goal of the playoffs.

The Wranglers squandered two power plays in overtime, allowing the Aces to gain momentum. Alaska sealed the win as center Kimbi Daniels snapped a pass from behind the Las Vegas net to the left wing circle, where Guenette snapped a shot under the cross bar at 8:17, lifting the Aces to a 6-5 overtime victory.

Game Five starts 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

Game 4: Las Vegas 5 at Alaska 6 OT - (LV leads Series 3-1)

Game 5: at Alaska - Friday, May 2nd at 8:15 pm (PDT) -

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 2nd.

2008 Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages are available. Fans interested in purchasing playoff packages may contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 (PUCK). 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 and the Suncoast Casino showroom box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (702) 284-7777.

The Wranglers play all 36 home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. Seat packages to see the Wranglers play at the Orleans Arena for the upcoming 2008-09 season are on sale now, starting as low as $157 per seat. Call (702) 471-PUCK (7825) for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.



ECHL Stories from May 2, 2008


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