Wranglers Win Game Two 4-3 in OT, Lead Series 2-0

Published on May 14, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers® defeated the Utah Grizzlies 4-3 in overtime in Game Two of the National Conference Finals on Tuesday night in front of 4,310 fans at the Orleans Arena. Forward Aki Seitsonen scored 1:36 into overtime to lift Las Vegas to a 4-3 victory over Utah. Utah forward Olivier Labelle forced overtime by scoring with under one second remaining. Seitsonen and right wing Adam Cracknell each scored twice as Las Vegas gained a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven series. Las Vegas goalie Kevin Lalande stopped 22 of 25 Utah shots for his tenth playoff victory. Defenseman Mike Madill and left wing Marco Peluso each handed out two assists in the win. Grizzlies forward Michael Haley scored twice and added an assist in the defeat. Utah goalie Mike Mole suffered the loss, stopping 34 of 38 Las Vegas shots.

The series shifts to West Valley City, UT for Games Three, Four and Five (if necessary). Game Three is scheduled for Thursday, May 15th at 6:05 pm (PDT) at The E-Center.

After a scoreless first period, Utah's Michael Haley broke the drought by scoring the first goal of the evening. Utah center Rob Sirianni set up Haley's sixth of the playoffs just 2:32 into the middle frame. Las Vegas would answer back late in the second period with a pair of goals 2:22 apart. Las Vegas forward Aki Seitsonen scored off a rebound at 13:24. His fourth goal of the playoffs tied the game 1-1. A few minutes later at 15:46, the Wranglers pulled in front of the Grizzlies 2-1 with Adam Cracknell's first goal of the night. Left wing Shawn Limpright set up the play, finding Cracknell cross-ice in the right-wing circle for a redirected shot past Utah's Mike Mole.

Haley tallied for the second time on the evening just 3:31 into the final period, tying the game 2-2. Haley's unassisted tally was his seventh of the post season. The Wranglers answered back at 8:02 with Cracknell's second goal of the night. Madill spotted Cracknell streaking up the left wing. Cracknell took the pass and snapped a wrist shot from the left wing circle, beating Mole glove side and giving the Wranglers a 3-2 lead. Utah forced overtime late in the third period with the goalie pulled for the extra skater. Off a face-off in the Las Vegas zone, Utah's James Sanford played the puck to the Wranglers net in the last five seconds of the game. Right wing Olivier Labelle scooped up a rebound and poked it into the back of the net with the buzzer sounding. Labelle's fourth goal of the playoffs tied the game 3-3 and forced overtime.

In the extra session, the Wranglers worked the puck deep in the Utah zone early in the overtime. Defenseman Jason Krischuk found Seitsonen in the high-slot. The second-year Wranglers fired the puck to the Utah net while falling down. The backhand shot weaved through traffic and into the back of the net giving Las Vegas the 4-3 overtime victory.

The best-of-seven series shifts to West Valley City, UT for Games Three, Four and possibly Five. Game Three is scheduled for Thursday, May 15th at 6:05 pm (PDT) at The E-Center. Game Four is set for Friday, May 16th at 6:05 pm (PDT) in Utah. If necessary, Game Five would take place at the E-Center at 3:00 pm (PDT) on Sunday, May 18th. The series will shift back to Las Vegas for Games Six and Seven if needed. Game Six would be on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena. Game Seven is set for Wednesday, May 21st at 7:05 pm at the Orleans Arena.

Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Utah Grizzlies - National Conference Finals (best of seven series):

Game 1: Utah 2 at Las Vegas 5

Game 2: Utah 3 at Las Vegas 4 OT (Las Vegas leads series 2-0)

Game 3: Las Vegas at Utah - Thursday, May 15th at 6:05 pm (PDT) - E-Center

Game 4: Las Vegas at Utah - Friday, May 16th at 6:05 pm (PDT) - E-Center

Game 5: Las Vegas at Utah - Sunday, May 18th at 3:00 pm (PDT) - E-Center - X

Game 6: Utah at Las Vegas - Tuesday, May 20th at 7:05 pm - Orleans Arena - X

Game 7: Utah at Las Vegas - Wednesday, May 21st at 7:05 pm - Orleans Arena - X

X = If Necessary

Wranglers fans can catch all of the exciting Kelly Cup Playoff third round action at McMullan's Irish Pub. Live via B2 Networks, follow the Wranglers as they face the Grizzlies on the road on Thursday, May 15th; Friday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 18th.

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.

Fans interested in purchasing 2008-09 season ticket 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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ECHL Stories from May 14, 2008


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