Wranglers Force Game Six On Sunday
April 27, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Las Vegas, NV - Las Vegas Wranglers' goaltender Kevin Nastiuk stopped all 36 shots he faced to help his team stave off elimination in a 4-0 win over the Steelheads in Game Five of the National Conference Semi-Finals at Orleans Arena on Friday night.
In front of a crowd of 3,727, Nastiuk, who was playing in his first game of the series, picked up his first professional playoff shutout and the first win of this series for the Wranglers (6-3) since Game One. Leading the series three games to two, the Steelheads (7-4) will now try to end the Wranglers season on Sunday, April 29 in Game Six at Qwest Arena in Boise.
After a couple of missed opportunities for the Steelheads' power play in the game's first few minutes, the Wranglers broke the scoreless tie, netting an even-strength goal by Steve Crampton. On the play, Shawn Limpright got the puck to the left point for defenseman Mike McBain, who faked a shot before sliding the puck to Crampton at the bottom of the right circles. Crampton received the pass and snapped a shot that glanced off Steve Silverthorn (17 saves) and into the back of the net at 7:51. Crampton's third of the playoffs marked the fourth time in five games the Wranglers led 1-0.
Just under four minutes later the Wranglers power play cashed in, on Limpright's third of the postseason. Moving out from the right wing circles, Limpright fired a shot just inside the short side post for a 2-0 advantage. Derek Edwarson picked up the lone helper.
Through one period, the Wranglers out-shot the Steelheads 11-10.
The Wranglers added a fluke goal in the second period to take a commanding 3-0 lead into the second intermission. After Scott Burt was hooked off the puck in the offensive zone, and with a delayed penalty upcoming to the Wranglers, Burt tried to play the puck up to the right point for defenseman Colin Peters. However, his pass was tipped by Wranglers' winger Marco Peluso and the puck skipped down the ice and into the empty cage, which was vacated by Silverthorn for an attempt at an extra attacker.
In the third period, Adam Cracknell blasted a shot from the high slot past Silverthorn for a power play marker and Cracknell's second in as many games. The goal at 8:17 meant the end of Silverthorn's night, as rookie John Daigneau (2 saves) finished the contest. Cracknell's third came off assists by Edwardson and Crampton
The Steelheads ended with 36 shots, while the Wranglers totaled 23. The visitors went a playoff-low, 0-for-12 on the power play and the Wranglers were an efficient two-for-seven.
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