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Wranglers Hang On For 3-2 Overtime Win

January 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


West Valley City, UT - The Las Vegas Wranglers® (15-14-3, 33 Points) defeated the Utah Grizzlies (13-14-6, 32 points) 3-2 in overtime at the E-Center on Friday night. Las Vegas right wing Peter Ferraro scored just 48-seconds into overtime to lift Las Vegas to a 3-2 overtime victory. Wranglers center Chris Neiszner and defenseman Jason Dest each scored to build a 2-0 Las Vegas lead heading into the final six minutes of the game. Grizzlies forwards Tim Verbeek and Mike Walsh each scored a late goal for Utah, erasing the Wranglers lead and forcing overtime. Forwards Mick Lawrence and Kelly Czuy each had two assists as the Wranglers moved a game over .500 for the first time this season. Goalie Kevin Lalande made 31 saves, improving to 4-4-1 on the season. Las Vegas now has five wins in the last seven games. The two teams will play again on Saturday night at the E-Center at 6:05 pm (PST).

In the first period, Las Vegas claimed a 1-0 lead with the only goal of the period. Defenseman Jason Dest scored his second goal of the season at 8:15. Forwards Mick Lawrence and Kelly Czuy both assisted on the floater from the left point that beat Utah goalie Mike Mole. Las Vegas out shot Utah 14-4 in the opening period.

In the second period, the Wranglers doubled the lead at 2-0. The team's second goal of the night came just more than halfway through the middle frame. Center Chris Neiszner netted his team-leading 12th goal of the season at 12:18. Neiszner redirected a centering pass from left wing Mick Lawrence past Utah's Mike Mole. The Grizzles out shot Las Vegas 14-5 in the second period, but Wranglers goalie Kevin Lalande turned aside every shot he faced in the first two periods.

In the third period, Utah's Mike Walsh broke the Wranglers shutout bid with 5:24 remaining in the game to cut the Las Vegas lead to 2-1. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande stopped the first 27 Utah shots. Walsh's eighth goal of the season was set up by Ryan Kinasewich and Rob Hennigar at 14:36. After pulling goalie Mike Mole for the extra-attacker, the Grizzlies Tim Verbeek tied the game 2-2 with 45-seconds remaining. Verbeek's 13th goal of the season forced overtime and was set up by Kinasewich and Hennigar.

In the extra-frame, Neiszner led a 2-on-1 rush into the Utah zone. Neiszner sent a cross-ice pass to right wing Peter Ferraro, who ripped a one-timer past the glove of Mole for his third goal of the season. Ferraro's first game-winning goal of the year lifted Las Vegas to a 3-2 win.

Las Vegas will play in Utah on Saturday at 6:05 PM (PST) before heading to Bakersfield on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm.



ECHL Stories from January 9, 2009


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