Wranglers Fall To Aces 6-5 In a Shootout

Published on October 19, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Las Vegas Wranglers (0-1-1, 1 point) were defeated by the Alaska Aces (2-0-0, 2 points) 6-5 in a shootout at Sullivan Arena on Saturday night. Aces goalie J.P. Lamouruex made 42 saves in regulation and stopped all four Wranglers in the shootout for the win. Alaska defensemen Corbin Schmidt and Matt Shasby tallied late third period goals to cap off an Aces comeback and tie the game 5-5. Forward Tim Spencer scored twice for the Wranglers, while center Chris Neiszner set up two tallies. Forwards Chris Korchinski, Mick Lawrence, as well as defenseman Mike Madill each scored for Las Vegas. Goalie Bryan Bridges made 35 saves in the defeat. The Wranglers will host the Ontario Reign for the team's Home Opener at the Orleans Arena on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:30 PM.

For the second straight night, Las Vegas forward Mick Lawrence scored the opening goal. Lawrence carried the puck into the Alaska zone and lifted a backhand shot over the glove of Alaska goalie J.P. Lamoureux at 3:11 for the 1-0 lead. The Aces countered with a power-play goal by Josh Soares at 8:46. Alaska worked the puck around the Las Vegas zone with defenseman Matt Shasby spotting Soares in the slot. Soares beat Las Vegas goalie Bryan Bridges with a wrist shot on the stick side, tying the game 1-1.

In the second period, Las Vegas outshot Alaska 20-8 and scored three unanswered goals. The Aces took a 2-1 lead at 2:59. Defenseman Nick Tuzzolino threaded a shot through traffic from the blueline and into the back of the Wranglers net for the one-goal lead. Las Vegas stormed back and scored twice in a 1:45 span to claim a 3-2 lead. Left wing Tim Spencer started the rally, poking in a rebound off a Chris Neiszner shot at 15:41, tying the game 2-2. At 17:26, Chris Neiszner won a faceoff back to the blueline for Mike Madill. The Wranglers defenseman blasted a slap shot through traffic for his first of the season and a 3-2 lead for Las Vegas. After starting the season 0-10 on the power play, Las Vegas finally scored the team's first extra-man advantage goal. Forward Chris Korchinski backhanded a rebound into the net for his first goal with the team. Defensemen Sean Owens and Gerard Miller each assisted on the goal with only 18 second left in the middle period.

In the third period, the Aces inched closer as Luke Erickson scored off a rebound at 5:10, cutting the Las Vegas lead to 4-3. Former Aces forward Tim Spencer scored his second of the night at 10:54, lifting Las Vegas to a 5-3 lead. The Aces used power-play goals from Corbin Schmidt (12:25) and Matt Shasby (16:37) to the tie the game 5-5 and force overtime.

After a scoreless overtime the teams went to a shootout. Alaska's J.P. Lamouruex stopped all four Las Vegas attempts, while Aces forwards Josh Soares and Alexandre Imbeault both tallied for the shootout victory.

Las Vegas will open at home on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:30 pm at the Orleans Arena against the Ontario Reign. The Wranglers and Reign will also play again on Friday, October 24th at 7:30 PM at the Orleans Arena.

2008-09 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.

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