Wranglers Topple Reign, 4-2; Las Vegas takes on Idaho at Midnight on Tuesday

Published on December 26, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers® (11-14-4, 25 Points) defeated the Ontario Reign (13-14-3, 29 Points) 4-2 in front of 4,409 fans Saturday night at the Orleans Arena. Wranglers forward Francis Lemieux led the way for Las Vegas with two goals. Forwards Kyle Hagel and Mick Lawrence also tallied for Las Vegas as the Wranglers won their second straight game. Wranglers goalie Michael Ouzas made 32 saves to improve to 8-11-2 this season. Ontario goalie Mike Zacharias stopped 19 of 23 shots in the loss. Forward Jon Francisco notched a goal and an assist to lead the Reign. The Wranglers will take on the Idaho Steelheads on Tuesday, December 29th, at Midnight at the Orleans Arena.

The Wranglers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal from forward Kyle Hagel. Forward Jeff Hazelwood set up Hagel's third goal of the season. Less than a minute later, center Francis Lemieux padded the lead with his eighth goal of the year. Lemieux tipped in a shot from defenseman Jason Krischuk at 3:52 for the 2-0 Las Vegas lead.

In the second period, Ontario chipped into the Las Vegas lead with a power-play goal from Captain Jon Francisco at 4:45. Francisco put in rebound for his fifth goal of the season to trim the score to 2-1. Las Vegas answered back with a goal at 7:14 of the middle frame from forward Mick Lawrence. Captain Neiszner picked up his second assist on the night as Lawrence one-timed the puck for the 3-1 Las Vegas lead. The Reign pulled within a goal of Las Vegas at 8:5, when center Robert Pearce finished off a solid passing play for his second goal on the year to slim the Wranglers lead to 3-2.

In the third period, Lemieux padded the Las Vegas lead with his second goal of the night at 17:31. Forwards Adam Miller and Ned Lukacevic set up a tic-tac-toe play for Lemieux's ninth goal on the season to finish off the 4-2 Wranglers win.

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. Follow the Wranglers on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WranglersLV.

Pro rated 2009-10 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.

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