Despite Two Late Goals, Vegas Falls in Regular Season Home Finale, 6-5

April 2, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas - The Las Vegas Wranglers made another late-game comeback effort with two goals in the final 1:09 of play, but fell to the Bakersfield Condors 6-5 in their final home game of 2013-14. Forward Chris Francis recorded a hat-trick in the loss, the first three-score game by any Wrangler this season. The game was capped off with a full team autograph session on the concourse, and highlighted by various in-game giveaways including Bank of America sponsored "My Town My Team" T-shirts.

The Condors would strike first just 6:04 into the period, converting with just 33 seconds left on a five minute major power-play to take a 1-0 lead. The goal was scored by Chase Schaeber (12) and assisted by Nick MacNeil (2). Just one minute later, Bakersfield would extend their lead to 2-0 off Andrew Carroll's 10th goal of the year, assisted by Matt Thurber (26).

Las Vegas would strike back early in the second period as Francis buried his 11th of the year and first of the night just 1:43 into the frame. The goal was assisted by Matt Tassone (22) and Charlie Cook (20) and cut the two goal deficit in half, making it a 2-1 game. Bakersfield would then connect on three straight scores, one by Jordan Knackstedt (18), and two more from Schaeber (13, 14), giving him a hat-trick late in the second frame. With the Condors on top 5-1, Francis would then tally his second score of the night and 12th on the season with just 28 seconds to go in the frame, assisted by Adam Hughesman.

The Wranglers would continue their comeback effort into the third period, as with 14:43 to go in the game Chad Nehring snatched his team-leading 22nd goal of the year on a penalty shot, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Bakersfield's Schaeber would strike again however, with his fourth goal of the night and 15th on the season, upping the Condor lead to 6-3.

With just 1:09 to go in the game Shawn Skelly started yet another late-game comeback bid, as the Wranglers scored in the final two minutes for the third straight contest, this time making it a 6-4 game. For Skelly, the goal was his 11th on the season, and was assisted by Adam Hughesman, his second helper of the contest. With just 25 seconds on the clock, Francis would make it a one goal game with his third score of the night and 13th of the year, assisted by Carlo Finucci (25) and Cook (21).

That would be as close as the Wranglers would get on Tuesday night, however, falling by a final score of 6-5. The full box score of tonight's game can be found here.

With their home regular season schedule concluded, the Wranglers will now take to the road for five straight games to finish off the 2013-14 season. First, Las Vegas will travel to Bakersfield to once again face off with the Condors in a two-game weekend set on Saturday, Apr. 5 and Sunday, Apr. 6. After that the Wranglers will head up to Utah to take on the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Apr. 9, before heading over to Stockton for a matchup with the Thunder on Saturday, Apr. 12. Las Vegas will then conclude the regular season campaign with one more stop in Bakersfield, taking on the Condors on Sunday, Apr. 13.

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.



ECHL Stories from April 2, 2014


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