Wranglers Upend Grizzlies, 5-3

January 3, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers(r) (14-14-4, 31 Points) defeated the Utah Grizzlies (15-13-3, 33 Points) 5-3 in front of 3,085 fans Sunday afternoon at the Orleans Arena. Wranglers Captain Chris Neiszner tallied the game-winning goal, and added an assist in the Wranglers eighth consecutive home win. Forwards Ned Lukacevic, Matt Kang, Jeff Hazelwood, and Josh Prudden also scored for Las Vegas. Wranglers goalie Michael Ouzas made 28 saves to improve to 11-11-2 on the year. Utah netminder Mitch O'Keefe stopped 32 of 37 shots in the loss. Grizzlies forwards Tom May, Tony Romano, and Jadren Beljo scored for Utah. The Wranglers will head to Ontario to take on the Reign on Wednesday, January 6th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, before returning home to face the Reign Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Las Vegas opened the scoring just 1:36 into play with a tally from left wing Ned Lukacevic. Defenseman Jason Krischuk fired a shot from the point that Lukacevic tipped in for his ninth goal on the season, and the 1-0 Wranglers lead. Only 20 seconds later, Forward Tom May pulled the Grizzlies even. Forwards Tony Romano and Lance Galbraith set up May's 12th goal on the year to tie the game at 1-1.

Just 1:30 into the middle frame, the Grizzlies pulled ahead with a tally from Romano. Galbraith picked up his second assist setting up Romano's third goal on the season for the 2-1 Utah lead. The Wranglers pulled even on the power play with a goal from left wing Matt Kang at 14:00 of the second period. Kang snapped in his third goal on the year to tie the game at 2-2. Utah answered just 1:49 later with a tally from rookie Jadren Beljo. Center Brett Parnham set up Beljo's second marker on the year to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead headed into the second intermission.

In the third period, the Wranglers pulled even at 1:46 with a goal from rookie Jeff Hazelwood. Lukacevic found Hazelwood in front of the net to tie the game at 3-3. At 3:36, Captain Chris Neiszner converted on a five-on-three Wranglers power-play. Neiszner tipped in a shot from the point to give Las Vegas the 4-3 lead. Las Vegas capped off a three-goal third period with a power-play goal from veteran Josh Prudden at 10:34. Prudden's fourth goal on the season sealed the 5-3 Wranglers win.

The Las Vegas Wranglers(r) 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.



ECHL Stories from January 3, 2010


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