Vegas Puts up Six-Pack in Victoria to Win, 6-4

Published on January 12, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev- The Las Vegas Wranglers tallied six goals at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Tuesday night defeating the Salmon Kings and becoming the first team in the Pacific division to break the forty-point plateau. Jamie Bates led the way for the Wranglers again with his first star of the night recognition, two goals, and assist. Bates is currently riding a ten-game point streak and a six-game goal streak. Since going on the road on December 29th the Wranglers have played six games including tonight, Bates has been the first star in four of those contests. Forward Greg Collins and center Colin Long both notched two assists in the win for Las Vegas. Also tallying for the Wranglers were defensemen, Jamie Fritsch and Craig Switzer, as well as centers Geoff Paukovich and Justin Bernhardt. Joe Fallon improves his record to 8-6-1 turning away 37 of 41, and David Shantz falls to 10-14-3 allowing six goals on 22 shots. With the loss Victoria slides to 14-19-3 with 31 total points and holds down the fourth place spot in the Mountain division. The win bumps Las Vegas up to a record of 19-9-3 with 41 total points and a four-point cushion for first place in the Pacific division over Bakersfield.

After being held to a second star of the night ranking against Alaska on Saturday Jamie Bates had all the encouragement he needed to unleash against Victoria. He did so at :16 of the first period while the Wranglers were on the power play assisted by Colin Long and Ryan Huddy. Victoria answered back at 3:17 with Ryan Cleaver's power play goal assisted by Milan Gajic and PJ Atherton. Adam Taylor took the lead for the Salmon Kings with his first goal of the season at 7:25 assisted by PJ Atherton and Milan Gajic. Craig Switzer tied the game at 8:47 with his fifth goal of the year assists going to Greg Collins and Geoff Paukovich. The Wranglers took the lead back with Justin Bernhardt's second goal of the year at 9:51 with the assists going to Barry Goers and Jonathan Milhouse. After one period the Wranglers were on top, 3-2, and all the goals had been scored in the first ten minutes of the period.

After an explosive first period forward Jamie Bates found himself in exclusive company once again during the second frame. Not only did he notch his twelfth goal of the season pushing him ahead of Ryan Huddy for first on the team in points, but he tallied the lone goal of the period. Bates' solitary goal came at 15:08 assisted by Eddie DelGrosso and Colin Long which gave the Wranglers a two goal lead heading into the second intermission.

Victoria came out hot in the final frame scoring the first two goals. Matt Siddall inched the Salmon Kings back within one at 3:59 with his seventh goal of the season assisted by Chad Painchaud. Matt Stefanishion went unassisted with his seventh goal of the season at 6:39 to tie the game at four. Defenseman Jamie Fritsch notched the go-ahead goal at 9:15 assisted by Blake Gallagher and Greg Collins. Geoff Paukovich solidified the win for the Wranglers at 17:03 assisted by Kevin Schaeffer and Jamie Bates, upgrading Fritsch's goal to game-winning and earning him the second star of the night award.

The Wranglers battle again tomorrow night with the Salmon Kings at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre before returning home to host the Ontario Reign on Friday.

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 January 12, 2011


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