Wranglers Down Aces, 5-2

Published on January 16, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev-- The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Alaska Aces for the second time in as many days sending Alaska on a four-game losing streak while continuing on a two-game win streak of their own. Goaltender Joe Fallon turned away 31 of 33 shots in the win as he records his fiftieth professional win and improves his record to 11-7-1 on the season. The Aces started the game with Adam Courchaine in net, but head coach Brent Thompson had to replace him with Gerald Coleman after giving up four goals on nine shots including two goals on the first two shots of the game. Courchaine will register the lost as he falls to 5-4-2 on the season as Coleman turned away 14 of 15 in his relief. Las Vegas tallied the first four goals of the game and ended with five total, all coming from different players. Jerad Stewart and Steve Ward tallied the two goals for Alaska in the loss. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play going a combined 0 for 9. Only nine shots were taken in the first period between both teams, but Alaska was able to explode for 21 in the second period. The loss knocks Alaska down to 21-13-2 as they continue on a four-game losing streak. The win brings Las Vegas up to 47 total points as they still hold the number one spot in the Pacific division with an overall record of 22-10-3 and a 3-3 record against Alaska.

Las Vegas notched the first four goals of the contest including both of the tallies in the first period. Ned Lukacevic scored his eighth goal of the season at 1:19 of the first period assisted by Chris Higgins and Mathieu Brodeur. Jonathan Milhouse notched his first goal of the season at 3:32 of the first period assisted by Justin Bernhardt to give Las Vegas an early two-goal lead. After one period the Wranglers were up 2-0 and were also beating the Aces in the shots category 5-4.

Colin Long would put the Wranglers up by three with his fifth goal of the season at 2:44 of the second period with the lone assist going to Justin Bernhardt. Blair Riley extended the lead even further with the Wrangler's second home short-handed goal at 5:56 assisted by Geoff Paukovich. The Aces finally got on the board at 12:49 of the second period when Jerad Stewart's unassisted bid hit Fallon's glove and still managed to find the back of the net. After two periods the Wranglers were on top 4-1 but now trailed in the shots category 17-25 as the Aces tallied 21 in the second period.

The Wranglers extended the lead back out to four with Greg Collins' ninth goal of the season assisted by Geoff Paukovich and Blair Riley at 5:35 of the third period. Alaska was able to score once more at 8:38 of the final period with Steve Ward's fourth goal of the season assisted by Mark Isherwood and Wes Goldie, but unfortunately for Alaska it was not enough as the Wranglers' early goals were enough to seal the win for Las Vegas, 5-2.

Las Vegas and Alaska face-off again on Tuesday night at the Orleans Arena before Bakersfield comes to town for a three-game set starting January 21st.

The Las Vegas Wranglers© are the ECHL affiliate to the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes and the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage.

2010-11 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 adjacent to the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 16, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central