Wranglers Calm Thunder 5-3, Win Sixth Straight

December 17, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Stockton, CA - The Las Vegas Wranglers (17-4-2, 36 points) beat the Stockton Thunder (5-10-3, 13 points) 5-3 at the Stockton Arena on Friday night. Left wing Todd Alexander scored once and assisted on two others, leading the Wranglers to their sixth straight win. Goalie Marc Magliarditi made xx saves, pushing his record to 11-4-1, and helping the Wranglers improve to 11-0-1 over their last 12 games played. Forwards Thomas Bellemare, Derek Edwardson, Chris Stanley, also scored in the victory. The Alaska Aces fell in overtime at Victoria 5-4. This helps the Wranglers move to within one point of Alaska for first place in the West division. Las Vegas will play in Stockton again this Saturday at 7:30 pm (PST).

The Wranglers started early in this one as Todd Alexander snapped a shot from the left-wing circle just 58- seconds into the game, giving Las Vegas the 1-0 lead. Wranglers' center Matt Dzieduszycki centered for Alexander who squeaked a shot past the blocker of Jake Moreland for his seventh goal of the season. After killing Stockton's second power play of the night, winger Marco Peluso spotted Thomas Bellemare exiting the Las Vegas penalty box, firing a pass to the left wing. Bellemare cruised in and rifled a shot past the glove of Moreland and under the crossbar for his first goal of the season. Bellemare's goal came at 16:36 and helped Las Vegas take a 2-0 lead into the locker room after one period of play.

Stockton countered with two straight goals to start the second period. Thunder forward Dominic Soucy tallied his first professional goal just 50-seconds into the second period, trimming the Las Vegas lead to 2-1. Less than four minutes later the Thunder tied the game at two when Casey Bartzen scored his first pro goal at 4:25. Las Vegas regained their two-goal lead with second period tallies by Derek Edwardson and Chris Stanley 22 seconds apart. Edwardson snapped his 10th of the season at 18:30 from the top of the left-wing circle, beating Moreland glove side. Twenty-two seconds later, Alexander crushed Geno Parish to create a turnover, and centered the puck for Stanley, who one-timed a blast past Moreland for the 4-2 Las Vegas lead.

In the third period, Matt Dzieduszycki scored an empty-net goal with 55 seconds remaining to extend the Wranglers leaf to 5-2. Stockton's Joel Irwin added a score as time expired for the final score of 5-3.

On December 22nd, 2003 the Las Vegas Wranglers made professional hockey history when they hosted the first Midnight Hockey game. This year the Wranglers will host the third annual Midnight Holiday Roundup on Monday, December 19th at 11:59 pm against the Long Beach Ice Dogs. The Wranglers will also host a blood drive in conjunction with the Midnight Game. The blood drive will take place from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at the Orleans Arena. Those who donate blood will receive vouchers for Penn and Teller tickets. Fans who attend the game may also bring toys for children as part of the annual Toy Roundup. All the toys will be donated to Olive Crest. Before the game and during the intermissions, Mini KISS will perform. Mini KISS is four vertically challenged imitators of the 70's band, KISS.

Tickets for all games are on sale now. Fans may purchase seats to all Wranglers home games at any of the following ticket locations; The Orleans Arena Box Office, Coast Casinos' showroom box offices at The Orleans, Gold Coast and Suncoast, or at the Galleria Mall guest relations/ticket centers.

The Wranglers play all 36 home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. Seat packages to see the Wranglers play at the Orleans Arena for the upcoming 2004-05 season are now on sale, starting as low as $150. Call (702) 471-7825 for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.



ECHL Stories from December 17, 2005


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