Wranglers Advance to Kelly Cup Finals

Published on May 3, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


The Las Vegas Wranglers clinched their position in the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals last night after defeating the defending champion Alaska Aces 3-1 to take the series 4-1.

Taking their first lead since game one of the series, Aces forward Dan Kissel tallied the a power play goal less than five minutes into the first period to give Alaska a 1-0 advantage. Wranglers center Eric Lampe responded on a Las Vegas power play nine minutes later, tying the game 1-1 with his sixth postseason goal. Wranglers center Judd Blackwater followed up with a score at the 18:22 mark to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

After a scoreless second period, the 2-1 score held through the majority of the third until Alaska went on power play with 88 seconds left in regulation. Aces Goaltender Gerald Coleman was pulled, giving them a 6-4 advantage, but an empty net goal from Josh Lunden in the last three seconds of the game secured the 3-1 win for the Wranglers. With that win, the Wranglers advance to the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals and have won the Bruce Taylor Trophy for becoming the Western Conference champions.

The Wranglers last won the Taylor Trophy after defeating the Utah Grizzlies in 2008, where they advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals, falling in six games to the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Las Vegas has also released the four home dates for the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals. The Wranglers will play the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, between the Florida Everblades and the Kalamazoo Wings. The three road game dates will be announced once that series is complete.

The best-of-seven series will begin in Las Vegas on Monday, May 14, and is as follows:

Game 1 on Monday, May 14, at 7:05 pm - Orleans Arena

Game 2 on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:05 pm - Orleans Arena

Game 3 - TBD

Game 4 - TBD

Game 5 - TBD

Game 6 on Friday, May 25, at 7:05 pm (if necessary) - Orleans Arena

Game 7 on Saturday, May 26, at 7:05 pm (if necessary) - Orleans Arena

In the 2012 Kelly Cup Finals, the third-seeded Wranglers will have home-ice advantage over either team by being a higher seed than Florida and having a better regular-season record than Kalamazoo.

Playoff tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-PUCK. Fans can lock in their seats by purchasing playoff strip tickets starting at $18 per game, and tickets for kids ages 12 and under are just $8. Individual Wranglers playoff tickets are available by phone at (702) 284-7777, and can be purchased in person at all Coast Casino properties, Town Square shopping center or online at www.orleansarena.com.

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