Former Wranglers Sink Las Vegas In Idaho's 4-3 Overtime Win

February 18, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Boise, ID - The Las Vegas Wranglers® (26-20-6, 58 points) were defeated by the Idaho Steelheads (28-16-3, 59 points) 4-3 in overtime in front of 3,060 fans on Wednesday night at QWest Arena. The Wranglers manage to hang on to a point despite the overtime defeat. Former Wrangler Matt McKnight scored the game-winning goal 1:13 into overtime, capping off a four-goal Idaho rally for the victory. Idaho's Garett Gembridge, another former Wrangler, scored the game-tying goal with 3:20 remaining to force overtime and tie the game 3-3. Bembridge started the rally by setting up the Steelheads first two goals of the night. Las Vegas right wing Peter Ferraro returned to the line up from the injured reserve, leading a three-goal first period outburst with a pair of goals. Despite making 43 saves, Las Vegas goalie Matt Keetley suffered the overtime defeat. Forward Hugo Carpentier scored a goal and added an assist as Las Vegas extended a four-game winless skid (0-2-2). Idaho goalie Rejean Beauchemin stopped 20 Las Vegas shots for the win. The Wranglers started a ten-game road trip on Wednesday night. Las Vegas will play the second game of a three-game set in Idaho on Friday at 6:10 PM (PST).

Las Vegas enjoyed a three-goal first period outburst. The scoring spree started just 5:31 into the period as right wing Peter Ferraro scored his 11th goal of the season for the 1-0 Wranglers' lead. Ferraro made his return after suffering a neck injury on February 10th, missing the last four games. Hugo Carpentier found Ferraro in the high slot for a wrist shot that beat Idaho goalie Rejean Beauchemin on the stick side. The Wranglers scored on the team's first power play of the night at 12:01. Forwards Kelly Czuy and Chris Ferraro set up Peter Ferraro's second goal of the night for the 2-0 Las Vegas lead. The Wranglers tallied one more time before the first period ended. On the team's second power play of the night, defenseman Bret Tyler and center Chris Neiszner worked the puck to Carpentier at 17:01. Carpentier scored his fifth goal of the season for the 3-0 Las Vegas lead.

Idaho scored the only goal of the second period. With 2:31 left in the period, left wing Kris Sparre stick-handled the puck through traffic and ripped a slapshot from the point, beating Wranglers' goalie Matt Keetley. Sparre's 14th goal of the season trimmed the Las Vegas lead to 3-1 heading into the third period.

Idaho would pull within a goal at 11:17 of the third period. Winger Mark Bombersback redirected a shot in front of the Las Vegas net, scoring his 16th goal of the season and cutting the Wranglers' lead to 3-2. With only 3:20 remaining in the third period, former Wrangler Garett Bembridge scored off a rebound to tie the game 3-3. Bembridge netted his14th goal of the season at 16:40 from Bombersback, forcing overtime. Las Vegas tied a team record by allowing 25 shots in the third period. The only other time the Wranglers gave up 25 shots in one period was on November 14th, 2003 at Atlantic City.

Idaho's Matt McKnight scored his seventh goal of the season just 1:13 into overtime for the win. Defensemen Adam Welch and Travis Wight set up the former Wrangler forward's tally.

McKnight was traded to the Steelheads from Las Vegas after playing the first four games of the year with the Wranglers. Bembridge played for the Wranglers during the team's inaugural season in 2003-04.

The Wranglers continue on a ten-game road trip with two more games in Idaho, this Friday and Saturday at 6:10 PM (PST). Las Vegas will make stops in Phoenix, Stockton, Ontario, Bakersfield and Alaska before hosting the Steelheads on March 13th and 14th at 7:30 PM at the Orleans Arena.

2008-09 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.



ECHL Stories from February 18, 2009


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