Stockton's First Period Sinks Wranglers 7-2

Published on January 16, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Stockton, CA - The Las Vegas Wranglers (16-16-3, 35 points) were defeated by the Stockton Thunder (15-17-5, 37 points) 7-2 at Stockton Arena on Friday night. Stockton took a 4-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the game and coasted to a five-goal victory. Former Wrangler Mike Lalonde scored twice and added two assists for four points in the Thunder's fifth straight win. Stockton moved two points in front of Las Vegas for second place in the Pacific Division. Las Vegas forwards Peter Ferraro and Mick Lawrence each scored in the defeat. Wranglers' goalie Kevin Lalande took the loss with 23 saves on 30 shots. Las Vegas will head into the All-Star break and play next on Friday night against Victoria at 7:30 PM at the Orleans Arena.

In the first period, Stockton came out firing, outshooting Las Vegas 19-6 and building a 4-0 lead before the period was more than halfway over. James Bates got the scoring started for the Thunder, netting his sixth goal of the season just 1:31 into the game. Former Wrangler Mike Lalonde tallied his first goal of the night just 15-seconds later, expanding the Stockton lead to 2-0 at 1:46. Ryan Huddy made it 3-0 Stockton when he scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season at 6:09. The Thunder scored a power-play goal at 9:25 to make it 4-0. Lalonde scored his second of the period and tenth of the season. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande was pulled after the goal after stopping eight saves on 12 shots in 10. Goalie John DeCaro played the remainder of the period stopping seven Stockton shots.

In the second period, Las Vegas got on the scoreboard just 1:40 into the middle period. Justin Taylor centered to the high slot for Mick Lawrence. The Wranglers winger snapped a shot past Bryan Pitton to make it 4-1 Stockton. Las Vegas outshot Stockton

In the third period, Las Vegas cut the lead in half at 4-2 when Peter Ferraro scored at 3:08. Ferraro's fourth goal in as many nights pulled the Wranglers within two goals. Stockton countered with a trio of goals to take a commanding 7-2 lead. Stockton's Ryan Huddy made it 5-2 at 3:47 with his 20th goal of the season. Damian Surma scored his third goal of the season at 8:00, giving the Thunder a 6-2 lead. James Bates tallied his second goal of the night with 1:46 left for the 7-2 final.

The Reading Royals, the City of Reading and the Sovereign Center will host the 17th Annual ECHL All-Star Game on January 21, 2009 and the12th Annual All-Star Skills Competition on January 20, 2009. The game will be telecast online free-of-charge on ECHLALLSTARTV by B2 Networks, the "Official Broadband Broadcast Provider of the ECHL".

The Wranglers will return home to host Victoria starting Friday, January 23rd at 7:30 PM. The Salmon Kings will stay in town for games on Saturday, January 24th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, January 25th at 2:05 PM. Blue Man Group will perform at the game on Saturday the 24th. Las Vegas will host "Prison Uniform Night" on Friday, January 30th against Bakersfield.

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.

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ECHL Stories from January 16, 2009


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