Wranglers Comeback Falls Just Short in 5-4 Loss to Aces

March 30, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas - Less than 24-hours after turning a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 win in the final minutes, the Wranglers once again mounted a late-game comeback effort, but came up just shy in a 5-4 defeat against the Alaska Aces. With just 33 tickets remaining, Vegas forward John Armstrong cut a two-goal Alaska advantage in half, but that would be as close as the Wranglers would get, dropping the third and final matchup of a weekend set against the Aces. Vegas forward Carlo Finucci set an individual and team season-high with four total points in the loss, burying his fifth goal of the year while adding a trio of assists. Wranglers' goaltender Travis Fullerton added 44 saves in the loss, totaling 130 over the three-game series, which Alaska snatched up two games to one.

Just 4:05 into the first period Alaska would strike first as rookie Brett Findlay (22) put the Aces on top 1-0, assisted by Jordan Morrison (27). The Wranglers would answer back four minutes later, as Jeff May set a new career-high in scoring with his 11th goal of the year, coming on the power-play, and assisted by John Armstrong (17) and Carlo Finucci (21).

The second period would begin with a flurry of scores, started by the Wranglers who took a 2-1 lead just 3:18 into the frame on Carlo Finucci's fifth goal of the season, a power-play tally, assisted by Chad Nehring (15) and May (14). For May, the assist gives him now six total points (1g, 5a) over his first six games since returning from injury. The Aces would answer right back though as Corey Syvret tied the game up 2-2 a short 1:16 later, his second of the year, assisted by Evan Trupp (28) and former Wrangler Tyler Mosienko (17). Alaska would strike again just one minute after, as Morrison's 18th of the season gave the Aces a 2-1 lead, assisted by Findlay (30) and Alex Belzile (6). The advantage was short-lived however, as Nehring knotted the game up 2-2 with his 21st of the season, assisted by Finucci (22) and Armstrong (18). For Finucci, the helper was his third point of the game (1g, 2a), while Armstrong's second assist of the afternoon gives him now 17 points in the last 14 games (7g, 10a).

Alaska would break the deadlock early in the third period as Turner Elson (4) put the Aces on top 4-3 just 4:52 into the frame, assisted by Sean Curry (6) and Trupp (29). Aces' forward Alex Belzile would make it a 5-3 game just a short 37 seconds later with his fourth goal of the year, assisted by Findlay (31), who had three points on the game. The Wranglers would battle back, however, attempting to steal one from under the Aces noses for the second straight game, as Armstrong (17) cut the lead in half with just 33 seconds remaining. The assists on the goal came from Nehring (16) and Finucci (23), as the three combined for a total of 10 points in the loss. Finucci's four points set a team-high on the season (1g, 3a), while Armstrong and Nehring tied their personal highs for the year with three apiece (1g, 2a each).

With their three-game series against the Aces all wrapped up, Las Vegas will now conclude their 2013-14 home campaign in their regular season finale and 11th Annual "Fan Appreciation Night," on Tuesday, Apr. 1, against the Bakersfield Condors. The first 1,000 fans in attendance on Tuesday night will receive free Wrangler T-shirts courtesy of the night's sponsor, Bank of America. The game will also feature a multitude of giveaways, including team memorabilia and restaurant certificates.

Group tickets for the Wranglers' 11th season are on sale now! With five different event options for groups of 10 or more, a Wranglers game is the perfect way to celebrate with friends, host a unique corporate outing, or fundraise for your organization. Groups can save 35 percent off regular game-day ticket prices, and luxury packages start at just $300 with food and drink options available. For more information, contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 or visit wranglers.co . Don't forget to find the Wranglers on Facebook and follow @WranglersLV on Twitter for the latest updates.



ECHL Stories from March 30, 2014


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