Wranglers Come Back Against Salmon Kings, 4-3

Published on December 2, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers (7-12-1, 15 Points) defeated the Victoria Salmon Kings (6-11-2, 14 Points) 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,347 fans at the Orleans Arena Tuesday night. Center Francis Lemieux scored twice, including the overtime game winner for Las Vegas. Wranglers defenseman Craig Switzer tied the game with 14 seconds remaining to force overtime. Forward Kyle Hagel also scored for the Wranglers. Goalie Billy Sauer made 26 saves for the win in his first game with Las Vegas. Forwards Wes Goldie, Randall Gelech, and Dirk Southern all tallied for Victoria. Goalie David Shantz stopped 29 of 33 shots in the overtime loss. The Wranglers will host the Victoria Salmon Kings Thursday, December 3rd, at 7:05 p.m. at the Orleans Arena.

Victoria scored first at 15:50 of the opening period with a goal from Captain Wes Goldie. It was Goldie's seventh goal of the season and was set up by forwards Dirk Southern and Chad Painchaud to give the Salmon Kings the 1-0 lead.

Just 1:03 into the second period, Salmon Kings right wing Randall Gelech capitalized on a turnover to give Victoria the 2-0 lead. Forwards Olivier Latendresse and Adam Taylor assisted on Gelech's third goal on the seaon. Las Vegas chipped into the lead with a goal from center Francis Lemieux at 6:15. Lemieux snapped in a rebound for his third goal on the season to cut the deficit to 2-1. Late in the period, Victoria regained the two-goal cushion with center Dirk Southern's third goal on the year. Southern's goal was unassisted giving the Salmon Kings the 3-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

Las Vegas pulled within a goal with a tally from forward Kyle Hagel, 15:47 into the third period. Captain Chris Neiszner assisted on Hagel's second goal on the season to trim the Victoria lead to 3-2. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, defenseman Craig Switzer tied the game at 3-3. Switzer blasted a shot from the point for his second on the season.

With 1:20 remaining in overtime, Lemieux tallied his second goal on the night to give Las Vegas the 4-3 victory. With Las Vegas on a four-on-three power play, Lemieux tipped in an Adam Miller shot from the point, snapping the Las Vegas seven-game winless streak.

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 rated 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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ECHL Stories from December 2, 2009


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