Vegas Falls to Utah, 3-2

Published on February 11, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev- The Las Vegas Wranglers were defeated by the Utah Grizzlies Thursday night at the Orleans Arena. Simon Ferguson had two goals for Utah while Tom May notched the game-winning goal on a penalty shot early in the second period. Both of Las Vegas' tallies came on the power play, one from Colin Log and one from Tyler Mosienko. Grizzlies' goalie Andrew Engelage earned the win turning away 21 of 23 as he improved his record to 18-8-4 on the season. Michael Ouzas registered the loss allowing three goals on twenty-four shots as his record slides to 12-7-1 on the season. Las Vegas tallied another two power play goals on six opportunities which they have done in four consecutive games now. Utah was able to find the back of the net once with their three power play chances. The win increases the Grizzlies' lead in the Mountain division which they sit atop of with a record of 28-17-5 as they find themselves two points behind the Wranglers for the top spot in the Western conference. The loss knocks the Wranglers off their two-game winning streak as they slide to 30-15-3 overall, 2-5-1 against Utah, and 17-8-1 at the Orleans Arena. Las Vegas still sits atop the Pacific division with 63 total points and an eight-point buffer over second place Stockton.

Thursday's battle between Utah and Las Vegas saw only one even-strength goal with three out of the five total goals coming on the power play an the other coming on a penalty shot. Simon Ferguson tallied his fourteenth goal of the season, his first of the night, and the lone goal of the first period at 15:51 while Utah was on the power play assisted by Kevin Deeth and Nick Tuzzolino to give the Grizzlies the early lead.

Ferguson tallied his second of the night ten seconds into the second period assisted by Brett Parnham to give Utah a two-goal lead. The Wranglers answered back on the power play at 6:13 of the second period with Colin Long's eighth goal of the season assisted by Jamie Fritsch and Nick Ross. The Grizzlies extended the lead once again just twenty-three seconds later with Tom May's eleventh goal of the season. May was awarded a penalty shot after a bad turn over by the Wranglers at their own blue line. May skated in and beat Ouzas with a wrist shot blocker side to make the score 3-1 in favor of Utah. Tyler Mosienko brought the Wranglers within one with a redirection goal at 19:12 of the second period assisted by Nick Ross and Ryan Huddy. The teams headed to the second intermission with Utah in the lead 3-2 and a combined 31 shots.

The third period saw no goals from either team as Utah was content with controlling their one-goal lead. Jamie Fritsch and Brock Wilson tussled halfway through the third after Fritsch absorbed a check trying to corral a Grizzlies' dump and chase effort, but neither team could turn it into momentum. Las Vegas was unable to tally late in third period with the extra attacker for the final 1:31 of the game. With no goals in the final period Tom May's penalty shot a quarter of the way through the second period ended up being the game-winning goal as the Grizzles held on to win 3-2.

Las Vegas now gets ready to host Victoria tomorrow night and then again on Sunday afternoon.

The Las Vegas Wranglers© are the ECHL affiliate to the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes and the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage.

2010-11 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 adjacent to the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue.

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ECHL Stories from February 11, 2011


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