Wranglers Fall Short in Alaska, 4-3

Published on February 25, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev-The Las Vegas Wranglers were defeated by the Alaska Aces Thursday night at Sullivan Arena. Wranglers' center Chris Francis scored his first goal of the season while Nick Ross and Josh Lunden both tallied their second goals of the season. Gary Nunn, Kory Falite, Chris Langkow, and Dan Kissel all tallied for Alaska. Las Vegas only had one power play opportunity which was unsuccessful while Alaska managed to score once with their two chances. Aces' goaltender Adam Courchaine earned the win turning away 32 of 35 and improved his record to 11-6-1. Michael Ouzas tallied the loss allowing four goals on 29 shots and saw his record slide to 14-10-1 on the season. With the win the Aces now roll on a five-game winning streak and hold the first place spot in the Mountain division with a record of 32-19-2. The Wranglers slide to 32-18-3 overall but still hold control of the Pacific division and Western conference. Now only one point separates Las Vegas and Alaska for the top spot in the Western conference.

Alaska scored their fours goals in two separate bunches, one in the first period and one in the second period. Las Vegas countered back with late goals which had worked in the game priors but it was not enough Thursday night. Gary Nunn put the Aces on the board at 4:07 of the first period with his sixth goal of the season assisted by Scott Howes and Chris Langkow. Kory Falite made it 2-0 at 6:27 of the first period with his fourteenth goal of the season assisted by Scott Burt and Chris Langkow. After one period the Aces were up 2-0 and had outshot the Wranglers 15-10.

Las Vegas answered back at the beginning of the second period at the 1:10 mark with Chris Francis' first goal of the season unassisted. The Aces stretched the deficit again while on the power play at 12:43 of the second period with Chris Langkow's twelfth goal of the season assisted by Bryan Miller and Scott Howes. Dan Kissel made it 4-1 for Alaska with his fifteenth goal of the season assisted by Curtis Fraser at the 19:05 mark of the second period. Nick Ross tallied a late second period goal at the 19:52 mark assisted by Blair Riley and Greg Collins to put the Wranglers back within two goals. Both teams tallied ten shots in the second period but the Wranglers found themselves trailing 4-2 with one period left in regulation.

The same two teams battle again tonight at Sullivan Arena and then again Sunday afternoon to complete this weekend's series.

The Wranglers tallied the only goal of the third while the Aces protected their two-goal lead. In the final frame Las Vegas out shot the Aces 15-4 but could not find the amount needed to at least force overtime. Josh Lunden was able to pull Las Vegas within one at 11:19 with his second goal of the season assisted by Colin Long and Jamie Fritsch but the Aces lead from the first two periods was enough to hold on and take game one of this weekend's set, 4-3.

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.

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ECHL Stories from February 25, 2011


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