
Armstrong, Hughesman Power Vegas in Heartbreaking Loss
March 23, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release
Las Vegas - On a night that was highlighted by an on-ice "regrettable" tattoo contest, it was Wranglers' forwards Adam Hughesman and John Armstrong who fought to make the night anything but, combining for five points in a nail-biting 5-4 shootout loss to the Colorado Eagles. Las Vegas' rookie Josh Watson made his first start since coming over from the Idaho Steelheads, and stopped 32 pucks in the defeat. The game was capped off with a free post-game concert by Great American Taxi, who performed at center ice following the final horn.
Wranglers' forward Adam Hughesman would start the scoring off early as he buried his team-leading 20th goal of the year just 4:04 into the opening frame to put Las Vegas on top 1-0. Chris Francis grabbed the assist, his 22nd of the season, which also leads the team. John Armstrong put the exclamation point on a period that saw Las Vegas outshoot Colorado 15-5 with his 14th goal of the year, extending the Wranglers lead to 2-0. The goal also pushed Armstrong's current point streak to three games (1g, 5a), and was his first of three points on the night. Colorado would answer back, however, as Luke Fulghum (24) made it a 2-1 game late in the frame, assisted by Kevin Ulanski (37).
During the first intermission, the stars of A&E's "Bad Ink" conducted a fan-driven contest to find the most regrettable ink in the arena, awarding one winner a free tattoo from the hosts themselves.
Early in the second period it would be Hughesman striking again with his 21st of the year and second of the game, giving Las Vegas a 3-1 advantage. The goal, which came just 5:45 into the period, was assisted by Armstrong (15) and Jeff May (10), who was appearing in his first game action since going down with an injury in January. The Eagles would answer back once more, this time off the stick of Jesse Mychan (9), who made it a 3-2 game with just 5.9 seconds to go in the frame.
Once again Las Vegas would start the period off with a score, as Matt Tassone (12) put the Wranglers on top 4-2 just 3:28 into the final frame. Assists on the goal came from Chad Nehring (14) and Armstrong (16). Colorado's Kyle Kraemer would chip in his 22nd of the year on the power-play, assisted by Riley Nelson (25) and Greg Gardner (17). With the lead cut to one, the Eagles would strike once more to tie it up, as Fulghum (25) grabbed his second of the night, assisted by Kevin Young (26) and Kraemer (17) with just 51 seconds to go.
With both teams coming up empty in the overtime period the two would head to a shootout, where Colorado took down Las Vegas two goals to none, ending the game on a final score of 5-4.
Next up, the Wranglers will wrap up their three-game home stand tomorrow afternoon with a 2:05 matinee game against the Bakersfield Condors, featuring a free post-game skate with the team. They will then hit the road to Ontario on Wednesday, Mar. 26 to take on the Reign, before returning back to Las Vegas for a three-game set against the Alaska Aces on Friday, Mar. 28, Saturday, Mar. 29 and Sunday, Mar. 30. Saturday's game will feature the fourth and final of the 2013-14 post-game concert series with Todd Snider taking the stage immediately after the game.
Group tickets for the Wranglers' 11th season are on sale now! With five different event options for groups of 10 or more, a Wranglers game is the perfect way to celebrate with friends, host a unique corporate outing, or fundraise for your organization. Groups can save 35 percent off regular game-day ticket prices, and luxury packages start at just $300 with food and drink options available. For more information, contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 or visit wranglers.co . Don't forget to find the Wranglers on Facebook and follow @WranglersLV on Twitter for the latest updates.
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