Wranglers Fall to Aces in OT, 4-3

February 27, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, Nev- The Las Vegas Wranglers were defeated by the Alaska Aces Friday night at Sullivan Arena twenty seconds into overtime. Blair Riley led the way for Las Vegas with two goals including the late goal in the third period to force overtime. Geoff Paukovich netted the other goal for Las Vegas in the loss. Goaltender Billy Sauer made his first start in net for the Wranglers turning away 28 of 32 in the effort as his record falls to 0-0-1 in his time with Las Vegas. Chris Langkow continued his streak from the previous night for the Aces taking another first star of the night recognition to go along with his hat trick. Gary Nunn also tallied for the Aces in the win earning him the second star of the night. Adam Courchaine tallied the win for the Aces turning away 25 of 28 as his record improved to 13-6-1 on the season. Just like the night before both teams had minimal chances on the power play. Alaska was unable to convert with their one opportunity but Las Vegas found the back of the net with theirs and ended the game with a one-hundred percent success rate on the power play. With the win Alaska continues on a current six-game winning steak and improves their record to 33-19-2 as they now sit atop the Mountain division with 68 total points and a four-point buffer over Idaho. The Wranglers slide to 32-18-4 on the season but still hold the top spot in the Pacific division with 68 total points and a five-point buffer over Stockton. Las Vegas and Alaska are now tied for the first place spot in Mountain conference which makes Sunday afternoon's game that much more important.

So far this season the Wranglers hold a 4-4-1 record against the Aces after dropping the previous two in Anchorage. Geoff Paukovich put Las Vegas up late in the first period with his seventh goal of the season assisted by Jerry Pollastrone and Blake Gallagher. After one period Las Vegas was up 1-0 but had been outshot by the Aces 11-10.

Alaska answered back with the lone goal of the second period to knot the game heading into the second intermission. Chris Langkow notched his first goal of the night at the 7:28 mark of the second period assisted by Gary Nunn and Scott Howes. After forty minutes the game was tied 1-1, and the Aces still led in the shots category by one as well, 22-21.

The third period saw twice as many goals as the first two periods combined. Langkow kept his streak going and tallied his second of the night at the :17 mark of the third period assisted by Gary Nunn and Kory Falite to give Alaska the 2-1 lead. Blair Riley tied the game with his twelfth goal of the season while Las Vegas was on the power play assisted by Aaron Power and Tyler Mosienko. Chris Langkow tallied his hat trick and his fifteenth goal of the season at the 12:32 of the third period assisted by Brandon Gentile and Kory Falite to give the Aces a 3-2 lead. Blair Riley pulled the Wranglers back in and tied the game at the 19:58 mark of the third period with his second of the night and thirteenth of the season assisted by Greg Collins and Tyler Mosienko while the Wranglers net was empty for the extra attacker. The Wranglers forced overtime with two-seconds left in regulation but unfortunately the Aces only needed twenty-seconds to complete the job in that extra frame. Gary Nunn scored his seventh goal of the season assisted by Kane Lafranchise to lift the Aces to the win, 4-3. Blair Riley's goal to tie the game and send it to overtime was very important though because with that point gained the Wranglers stay knotted with the Aces for the top spot in the Western conference with 68 points as Sunday afternoon's game proves to be that much more important.

The Wranglers face the Aces again on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Arena to finish this three-game series. The puck drops at 6:05pm PST. After Sunday's game the Wranglers head to Idaho for a three-game set beginning on Wednesday March 2nd.

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.



ECHL Stories from February 27, 2011


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