Wranglers Bitten By Grizzles, 9-2

Published on October 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers(r) (2-3-0, 4 Points) were defeated by the Utah Grizzlies (2-2-0, 4 Points) 9-2 in front of 3,392 fans at the Orleans Arena on Thursday night. Utah center Matt Caria led the way with one goal and four assists. Utah forwards Ryan Kinasewich and Dylan Hunter each added two goals and an assist in Utah's second win this year. Utah forward James Sixsmith also tallied a goal and two assists as the Grizzlies snapped a two-game losing streak. Grizzlies goalie Parker Van Buskirk made 33 saves in his second win on the season. Forwards Andrew Orpik and Mick Lawrence tallied for the Wranglers. Las Vegas goalie Joel Gistedt stopped 25 of 34 shots to move to 0-2-0 this season. The Wranglers will head to Ontario to take on the Reign Friday night, October 30th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Utah opened the scoring just 2:24 into the first period with a power-play goal from Evan Kotsopoulus. Grizzlies forward Vladimir Nikiforov set up Kotsopoulus' first goal on the season for the 1-0 Utah lead. The Grizzlies increased the lead to 2-0 with a goal from forward James Sixsmith. Sixsmith fired in a one-timer past Joel Gistedt at 4:27 for his first goal on the season. The Grizzlies offensive punch continued with a goal from Captain Ryan Kinasewich at 6:37 of the first. Kinasewich deflected in his team-leading sixth goal on the season for the 3-0 lead. Las Vegas trimmed the lead with a goal from forward Andrew Orpik at 7:43 of the opening frame. Orpik snapped in a rebound for his second goal on the season to cut the score to 3-1. Utah regained the three-goal lead at 4-1 with a power-play goal from forward Dylan Hunter. Hunter slipped in a backhand shot at 11:38 of the first period for his second goal on the season.

In the second period, the Grizzlies matched their first period output, and put four more goals past the Wranglers to take an 8-1 lead. Just 30-seconds into the second period, Grizzlies defenseman Victor Bartley increased the Utah lead to 5-1 with his first tally on the year. At 4:48, Kinasewich struck for the second time of the game for his second goal of the night. Kinasewich's seventh goal on the season was set up by forwards Matt Caria and Dustin Friesen for the 6-1 lead. The Utah offense didn't stop, at Hunter snapped in his second of the evening at 9:21 of the middle frame. Caria set up Hunter's third goal on the season and picked up his fourth assist of the game. At 16:25, Caria would score one of his own to give Utah a large 8-1 lead. Caria's first goal on the season came on the power-play, Utah's third goal on the man-advantage.

In the final period, Utah right wing Jason Dale notched his first goal on the season at 6:55 to stretch the Grizzlies lead to 9-1. Kinasewich set up Dale for his third point of the game. Las Vegas forward Mick Lawrence nipped into the Utah lead with his first goal on the season at 10:21 of the third period. Lawrence tipped a shot from center Chris Neiszner to cut the lead to 9-2, which would be the eventual final score.

The Las Vegas Wranglers(r) are the ECHL affiliate to the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes, and the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage. Follow the Wranglers on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WranglersLV.

Pro rate 2009-10 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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