Wranglers Trump Aces 6-3 in Game Five

Published on May 3, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Alaska Aces 6-3 at Sullivan Arena in Game Five of the National Conference Semifinals on Friday night. Forward Curtis Fraser scored with 8:36 remaining in the third period to lift Las Vegas over Alaska. The Wranglers clinched the playoff series 4-1, moving past the second round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. Right wing Peter Ferraro led the charge with two goals and two assists for 13 points in the second round series. Left wing Shawn Limpright sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:53. Limpright also added two assists in the victory. Goalie Daniel Manzato stopped 29 of 32 Alaska shots for the win. Defenseman Gerry Burke also scored and added an assist in the win. The Wranglers advance to the National Conference Finals and will play the winner of the Utah - Victoria series.

In the first period, both teams traded goals with the Aces charging out of the gates in a hurry by taking a 1-0 lead just 2:14 into the game. With Wranglers center Adam Miller in the penalty box for high sticking, Alaska collected an early power-play goal. Olivier Filion centered across the crease to defenseman Derek Martin, who tallied his fourth goal of the playoffs, giving Alaska a 1-0 lead. The Wranglers countered with a power-play goal of their own off a Martin high sticking penalty minutes later. Defenseman Aaron Power held a clearing attempt in the Aces zone and snapped a pass to the right-wing circle for Peter Ferraro. The Wranglers right wing ripped a slap shot past Marek Schwarz, tying the game 1-1 with his fifth goal of the playoffs at 5:53.

In the second period, the two teams traded a pair of goals with Alaska striking early for the second straight period. Just 1:53 into the middle frame, F.P. Guenett lifted a backhand shot past Daniel Manzato for the 2-1 Aces lead. Less than two minutes later, defenseman Gerry Burke scored off his own rebound at 3:24, his second goal of the playoffs tied the game 2-2. The Aces would push in front of the Wranglers again at 10:59. The Aces claimed a 3-2 lead as defenseman Corbin Schmidt snapped a shot from the high-slot through traffic and into the back of the Wranglers net for his second goal of the playoffs. Las Vegas answered back with a power-play goal by Ferraro, his second of the night and seventh of the playoffs. Ferraro finished off a give and go play with Shawn Limpright on the power play, tying the game 3-3.

In the third period, Las Vegas forward Curtis Fraser picked off a pass at center ice and sprung center Adam Miller in over the Alaska blue-line, creating a 2-on-1 breakaway. Miller sent the puck back to Fraser for his fifth goal of the playoffs with 8:36 remaining in the third period for the 4-3 lead. Shawn Limpright and Kelly Czuy each added empty-net goals in the last minute to inflate the win to 6-3.

Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Alaska Aces - National Conference Semi-Finals (best of seven series):

Game 1: Alaska 0 at Las Vegas 8

Game 2: Alaska 1 at Las Vegas 3

Game 3: Las Vegas 5 at Alaska 2

Game 4: Las Vegas 5 at Alaska 6 OT -

Game 5: Las Vegas 6 at Alaska 3 - (LV Wins Series 4-1)

2008 Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages are available. Fans interested in purchasing playoff packages may contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 (PUCK). Fans may purchase tickets on the Wranglers team website at www.lasvegaswranglers.com or the Orleans Arena website (www.orleansarena.com). Fans may also purchase tickets at any of the following locations in the valley: Galleria Mall, Orleans Casino showroom box office, Gold Coast Casino and the Suncoast Casino showroom box office. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (702) 284-7777.

The Wranglers play all 36 home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. Seat packages to see the Wranglers play at the Orleans Arena for the upcoming 2008-09 season are on sale now, starting as low as $157 per seat. Call (702) 471-PUCK (7825) for more information or visit www.lasvegaswranglers.com.

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