Idaho Snaps Wranglers Streak at 18 with 4-1 Game Two Win

April 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Boise, ID - The Las Vegas Wranglers (5-1) were defeated by the Idaho Steelheads (5-3) 4-1 at the Qwest Arena on Monday night in Game Two of the National Conference Semi Finals. Forward Lance Galbraith scored twice and goalie Steve Silverthorn stopped 23 Las Vegas shots for the 4-1 victory. The Wranglers 18-game winning streak was snapped and the series is now tied 1-1. Center Tyler Mosienko scored the lone Las Vegas goal, which saw its' nine-game road winning streak halted. Goalie Mike McKenna took the loss with 22 saves, ending his 12-game winning streak. Game Three is set for a 7:05 pm (PST) face-off on Wednesday at the Orleans Arena.

"Idaho's best players stepped up big for them tonight at the right times", said Wranglers Head Coach Glen Gulutzan. "Silverthorn played well, the number one line with Flichel, Nesbitt and Galbraith came up with some big goals at some big times. It was a good physical game, just like we expected. We expect more from them once we get to the Orleans Arena on Wednesday. The good news is, we got the split and that's what we needed."

In the first period, the Wranglers grabbed the lead midway through the period as Tyler Mosienko netted his fourth goal of the playoffs at 10:58. Forward Aki Seitsonen tipped the puck to the front of the net and Mosienko redirected the shot past Steve Silverthorn for the 1-0 lead. Idaho charged back, taking advantage of a few Las Vegas minor penalties. The first Steelheads power-play goal was off the stick of Cory Scoran at 16:41, tying the game 1-1. Scoran ripped a shot from the high slot, Las Vegas goalie Mike McKenna tipped the shot, but could not prevent it from going in. After a Mike McBain cross checking penalty, Idaho scored a goal with 53-seconds remaining in the first period. Defenseman Darrell Hay blasted a shot from the point as forward Lance Galbraith redirected the puck in front of the net for his sixth goal of the playoffs and a 2-1 Steelheads' lead.

In the second period, the Steelheads added to their lead when Hay blasted a shot from the right point at 7:06, forward Derek Nesbitt scored off a rebound, extending the Idaho lead to 3-1.

In the third round, Idaho struck again in the final period as Lance Galbraith scored his second of the night to extend the Steelheads lead to 4-1. Center Marty Flichel flipped a pass to Galbraith to cap off a 2-on-1 breakaway, Galbraith's seventh goal of the playoffs sealed the win with 16:11 to go in the final period.

Las Vegas' 18-game winning streak is stopped, tied for the longest in professional hockey history with the 1990-91 Peoria Rivermen of the IHL. The streak ends as the longest in ECHL history.

"It's pretty amazing when you look back and think about it", said Head Coach Glen Gulutzan. "I told the guys after the game tonight to take a breath and look back at what they just accomplished. It is Impressive any way you look at. It was not just an ECHL record, they did something only one other team has done in the history of the pro game. I told them to be proud, but I also told them, welcome to the playoffs."

"It was a nice good run for us", added Wranglers' captain Mike McBain. "The funny thing is, no one in that locker room talked about it. It was never brought up. We are not a flashy team, we just stick to our system. It worked out well for us for 18 games".

The series will now shift to Las Vegas for Games Three, Four and Five. Las Vegas will host Game 3 of the National Conference Semi-Finals on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena. Game Four is Thursday night and Game Five is Friday night. All three games start at 7:05 pm.

"We came up here and got a split, which is what we needed", said McBain. "There is not one guy in that locker room that though we were going to sweep this series. Idaho is just like us, a very hard working team and we expected to battle with the. We are just looking forward to going home and starting to win again."

National Conference Semi Finals, Round Two: 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs:

Game 1: Sunday, April 22nd Las Vegas Wranglers 2 at Idaho Steelheads 1

Game 2: Monday, April 23rd Las Vegas Wranglers 1 at Idaho Steelheads 4

Game 3: Wednesday, April 25th Idaho Steelheads at Las Vegas Wranglers 7:05 pm

Game 4: Thursday, April 26th Idaho Steelheads at Las Vegas Wranglers 7:05 pm

Game 5: Friday, April 27th Idaho Steelheads at Las Vegas Wranglers 7:05 pm

Game 6: Sunday, April 29th Las Vegas Wranglers at Idaho Steelheads 7:10 pm -X

Game 7: Monday, April 30th Idaho Steelheads at Las Vegas Wranglers 7:05 pm - X

(Series Tied 1-1) X= If Necessary

Tickets for the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale now. Fans may obtain ticket information by calling the Wranglers front office at (702)-471-7825.

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 2007-08 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 April 23, 2007


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