Wranglers Fall To Reign 5-4 In a Shootout

February 28, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Ontario, CA - The Las Vegas Wranglers® (26-24-7, 59 points) were defeated in a shootout by the Ontario Reign (32-21-4, 68 points) 5-4 in front of 7,870 fans on Saturday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Las Vegas defeat extends the team's winless skid to nine games (0-6-3). Center Tyler Mosienko scored and added three assists for a four-point night. The goal was Mosienko's 55th with Las Vegas, passing Dan Tudin for the team's all-time goal scoring lead. In his Las Vegas debut, center Dan Riedel scored a goal and added an assist. Sean Owens and Chris Neiszner also scored as Las Vegas fell to 11-14-5 on the road this season. Goalie Matt Keetley took the loss with 34 saves in regulation. Ontario goalie Jeff Zatkoff made 17 saves in regulation and stopped all four Wranglers shootout attempts. Las Vegas will play in Bakersfield this Sunday at 5:00 PM.

Ontario made quick work with an early power play. Wranglers' defenseman Bret Tyler was whistled for interference just 52 seconds into the game. After five seconds of power-play time, right wing Geoff Walker scored his 17th goal of the season giving Ontario a 1-0 lead just 57 seconds into the game. Las Vegas answered back to the tie the game 1-1. Sean Owens scored his fourth goal of the season at 5:40, pulling Las Vegas even with Ontario. Newcomer Dan Riedel assisted on the tying goal, earning his first point with the team in his Las Vegas debut. Former Wranglers defenseman P.J. Atherton scored his ninth goal of the season at 10:37, pushing Ontario back on top at 2-1. Atherton's power-play goal was set up by Tim Krauss and Shawn Germain.

In the second period, Las Vegas tied the game for the second time. Recently acquired center, Dan Riedel tied the game at two with his 20th goal of the season, his first goal as a Wrangler. Center Tyler Mosienko picked up his second assist of the night, setting up Riedel at 5:35 of the second period. Mosienko would help set up the Wranglers first lead of the night with his third assist of the evening. With 1:38 remaining in the middle period, Mosienko set up Chris Neiszner's 19th goal of the year at 18:22. The power-play goal gave Las Vegas a 3-2 lead after two periods of play.

In the third period, Ontario tied the game 3-3 just 4:31 into the final period. Forward Chris Curran beat Matt Keetley for his eighth goal of the season. Mosienko picked off a loose puck and beat Ontario goalie Jeff Zatkoff at 9:59, scoring his 15th goal of the season and his 55th goal with Las Vegas. With the tally, Mosienko passed Dan Tudin to become the team's all-time leading goal scorer. Ontario scored the team's third power-play goal of the game with only 2:38 remaining. Forward Tim Krauss tied the game 4-4, scoring his 12th goal of the season at 17:22.

The Wranglers added local forward Steve Brudzewski prior to the game. Brudzewski played in 11 games last season for Las Vegas, accumulating one assists. The Wranglers skated with 15 skaters in tonight's game, one less than a full ECHL roster.

The Wranglers continue on a ten-game road trip with their next stop in Bakersfield this Sunday at 5:00 PM. Las Vegas will make a three-game stop in Alaska before hosting the Idaho Steelheads on March 13th and 14th at 7:30 PM at the Orleans Arena.

Pro-rated 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. Individual game tickets are on sale now at (702) 284-7777.



ECHL Stories from February 28, 2009


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