Mosienko Ties Team Record, Wranglers Fall 2-1 in Phoenix

February 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Phoenix, AZ - The Las Vegas Wranglers (26-23-6, 58 points) were defeated by the Phoenix RoadRunners (24-24-3, 51 points) 2-1 in front of 1,949 fans on Monday night at U.S. Airways Center. Phoenix forwards Kimbi Daniels and Ashton Rome scored second-period goals to push Phoenix over Las Vegas. The defeat extended the Las Vegas winless skid to seven games (0-5-2). Center Tyler Mosienko scored his 54th career goal for Las Vegas, tying him with Dan Tudin for the team's all-time lead. Las Vegas goalie Matt Keetley (1-3-1) kept the Wranglers close, stopping 45 shots in the loss. Phoenix goalie Kyle Jones (5-10-1) stopped 22 Las Vegas shots in the win. It was the sixth time in the last seven games that Las Vegas scored only one goal. The Wranglers dropped to 11-13-4 on the road this season. Prior to the game, Las Vegas added forwards Travis Kauffeldt and Ray Ortiz. Las Vegas will play in Stockton on Wednesday at 7:0) PM.

After a scoreless first period, the RoadRunners took a 1-0 lead on Kimbi Daniel's 15th goal of the season. Just 1:47 into the second period, Dan DaSilva's shot was blocked by Las Vegas goalie Matt Keetley, but Daniels pounced on the rebound and snapped the puck past Keetley for the one-goal lead. Keetley would keep the Wranglers within a goal at 6:18, stuffing Mitch Carefoot on a penalty shot. After Las Vegas defenseman Brandon Straub was whistled for hooking at 11:14, the RoadRunners capitalized on a power play at 13:04 for a 2-0 lead. Forward Ashton Rome scored his team-leading 23rd goal of the season from Dane Crowley and Jeremy Swanson. Rome's tally was his ninth goal in nine games against Las Vegas this season.

In the third period, the Wranglers trimmed the RoadRunners lead to 2-1 as center Tyler Mosienko scored a power-play goal at 6:46. Defenseman Mike Madill set up Mosienko's 54th goal for his Las Vegas career, tying him with Dan Tudin for the team's all-time lead.

Prior to the game, the Wranglers announced the signing of forwards Travis Kauffeldt and Ray Ortiz. Both players had been with the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). Kauffeldt was leading Huntsville in scoring with 32 goals and 62 points in 49 games played. In three seasons with the Havoc, Kauffeldt scored 66 goals and added 95 assists for 161 points in 141 games. Kauffeldt also has racked up 358 minutes in penalties during his time in Huntsville. Ortiz, a second-year pro, is fourth in scoring for the Havoc with 41 points in 48 games played. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward has 15 goals and 26 assists for Huntsville this season.

The Wranglers continue on a ten-game road trip with their next stop in Stockton this Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Las Vegas will make stops in Ontario, Bakersfield and Alaska before hosting the Idaho Steelheads on March 13th and 14th at 7:30 PM at the Orleans Arena.

Pro-rated 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 23, 2009


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