Wranglers Lasso RoadRunners 3-1

January 6, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


Las Vegas, Nev. - Sean O'Connor, playing in his first game since November 17, scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Las Vegas Wranglers to a 3-1 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 4,877 at the Orleans Arena in ECHL action Friday.

Christian Chartier opened the scoring for the Wranglers at the tail end of the first period with a power play goal. Chartier took a pass from Steve Crampton in the high slot and beat RoadRunners goaltender Mathieu Chouinard with a wrist shot over the blocker at 18:19 to give Las Vegas a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes.

The RoadRunners appeared to tie the game at the conclusion of the second period. Taylor Christie put home Ben Knopp's rebound past Wranglers goaltender Marc Magliarditi just as the horn was sounding, but referee Matt Bialota ruled the puck crossed the end line after the horn had sounded and therefore no goal.

Las Vegas would use the call to their advantage to start the third. Shawn Limpright floated the puck to an open O'Connor streaking down the right-wing side, and O'Connor went to the net and slipped a backhander over Chouinard into the upper-right corner at 6:42 to give the Wranglers a 2-0 lead. The RoadRunners would battle back late in the game with Chouinard pulled for the extra attacker. Joe Dusbabek found the puck at the side of the net and put a shot past Magliarditi at 18:43 to get Phoenix back to within a goal at 2-1. However, Chris Stanley capped the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:36 to make the final 3-1.

Las Vegas out-shot Phoenix 30-26. Chouinard stopped 27 shots as he fell to 4-6-0 on the season. The RoadRunners went 0-5 on the power play.

Notes: Dusbabek's goal broke a scoreless streak of 140:17 seconds. The RoadRunners hadn't scored since a Ben Knopp tally at the 18:27 mark of the second period last Sunday against Fresno...The RoadRunners surrendered the opening goal for the 12th consecutive game. Las Vegas scored first for the 17th time this season and is now 16-1 when doing so...Brent Henly missed his second game because of suspension.

The RoadRunners begin a four-game homestand at 5PM Sunday when they host the Stockton Thunder at the brand new US Airways Center. Sunday is also "Family Day" as the first 2,000 fans will receive RoadRunners Thunderstix. In addition, the RoadRunners organization will be welcoming several low income families from the Maricopa County Head Start Program to partake in "Family Day" as their special guests. For more information or to order tickets, call (602) 462-GOAL or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from January 6, 2006


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