Grizzlies Nip Wranglers 3-2

January 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


West Valley, UT - The Las Vegas Wranglers (19-8-9, 47 Points) were defeated by the Utah Grizzlies (14-22-3, 31 Points) 3-2 at the E-Center on Saturday night. The Grizzlies scored three goals in 50-seconds, including Travis Rycroft's goal just 16-seconds into the third period for the victory. Utah goalie Rob McVicar stopped 23 of 25 Las Vegas shots for the team's fifth straight win. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Nastiuk stopped 27 of 30 in the loss. Wranglers forward Kelly Czuy and defenseman Bryce Thoma each scored in the defeat. Las Vegas will return home to host Idaho on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena.

In the first period, Las Vegas scored the only goal of the period with some great passing. Left wing Lucas Lawson rifled a pass cross-ice from the right wing boards to a streaking Lee Green on the left wing side. Green redirected the pass to Kelly Czuy on the right wing. Utah goalie Rob McVicar could not get to the near post in time, as Czuy scored his seventh goal of the season at 9:06 to give the Wranglers a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, Las Vegas extended their lead to 2-0 when defenseman Bryce Thoma scored his first goal of the season with a blast from the left wing at 3:28. Thoma's goal marked his first point of the season, breaking a string of 22 games without a point. The Grizzlies powered back with two goals in the last 34-seconds of the second period. The first goal off the stick of Brendan Cook at 19:26, cutting the Wranglers lead to 2-1. Then as time expired, D.J. Jelitto scored with a blast from the blue-line on a controversial goal, tying the game at two after two periods of play. Referee Shane Warschaw ruled the goal was in before time expired, even though the green light was on behind the net, signaling the end of the period.

In the third period, off a face-off Utah's Brad Herauf tipped a pass to Travis Rycroft for his fourth goal of the season just 16-seconds into the period for the 3-2 lead. Rycroft's goal was the Grizzlies third over a 50-second span.

The Wranglers next game is on the road in Utah on Friday, January 19th at 6:05 pm (PST). Las Vegas returns to home ice on Friday, January 26th at 7:05 pm to host the Idaho Steelheads. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Wranglers sports bottle sponsored by Brian Perkes Realtor, the exclusive and official realtor of the Las Vegas Wranglers. Call Brian Perkes at 702-326-8665.

The Wranglers play all 36 home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. The Wranglers host the Victoria Salmon Kings for the home opener on Friday, November 3rd at 7:05 pm. Seat packages to see the Wranglers play at the Orleans Arena for the upcoming 2006-07 season are now on sale, starting as low as $157. Call (702) 471-PUCK (7825) for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.



ECHL Stories from January 20, 2007


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