Wednesday, April 19
Las Vegas Wranglers (6) vs Idaho Steelheads (2)
The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Idaho Steelheads 6-2 on Wednesday night in front of 5,148 fans at the Orleans Arena to win the first round Kelly Cup Playoff series 4-3. Wranglers goalie Marc Magliarditi made 29 saves in the victory. Forwards Matt Dzieduszycki and Chris Stanley each scored twice for the Wranglers, as Las Vegas won their first playoff series in team history. The Wranglers will face the Alaska Aces in the West Division Finals starting Monday April 24th, in Alaska. The Wranglers will return home for Game 3 of the series on Thursday night April 27th at the Orleans Arena at 7:05pm.
In the first period, Tim Hambly started the scoring for the Wranglers tallying his first professional playoff goal just 1:27 into the game. Idaho winger Dan Hacker tied the game at one just over a minute later. The Wranglers then scored three straight goals in 2:27. Forwards Chris Neiszner, Matt Dzieduszycki, and Chris Stanley each scored for Las Vegas over the span. At the end of the first period Las Vegas had a 4-1 lead.
In the second period, Garrett Bembridge scored a power-play goal to cut the Las Vegas lead to 4-2.
In the third period, Wranglers Chris Stanley and Matt Dzieduszycki each scored empty net goals to seal the 6-2 victory.
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Tuesday, April 19
Las Vegas Wranglers (6) vs Idaho Steelheads (0)
The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Idaho Steelheads 6-0 Tuesday
night in front of 4,009 fans at the Orleans Arena. Six different Wranglers scored in the victory, as Las Vegas ties the West Division Semi Finals at three wins aside.
Goalie Marc Magliarditi made 19 saves for his third career playoff shutout. The Wranglers scored five power-play goals and one shorthanded goal in the win.
The Wranglers and Steelheads will play Game 7 on Wednesday night at 7:05pm at the Orleans Arena.
After a scoreless first period, defenseman Christian Chartier scored the first goal of the night at 9:04 of the second period to give the Wranglers a 1-0 lead. Center Derek Edwardson scored a power-play goal to push the Wranglers lead to 2-0 after two periods of play.
In the third period, winger Todd Alexander scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway off the faceoff to give the Wranglers a 3-0 lead. Center Matt Dzieduszycki scored from the right-wing slot at 8:31 to push the Wranglers' lead to 4-0. Forward Chris Stanley scored his first playoff goal just 34-seconds later to give the Wranglers a 5-0 lead. Right wing Steve Crampton beat Steelheads goalie Matt Yeats on a breakaway for the final goal of the night giving the Wranglers the 6-0 win.
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Monday, April 17
Boise, Idaho - The Las Vegas Wranglers beat the Idaho Steelheads 5-2 to stay alive in the Best-of-Seven playoff series on Monday night.
The teams will now return to Las Vegas. Idaho has a 3-2 lead in the series.
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Saturday, April 15 Las Vegas Wranglers (2) @ Idaho Steelheads (4)
Boise, Idaho -- The Las Vegas Wranglers (1-3) were defeated by the Idaho Steelheads (3-1) 4-2 in Game Four of the West Division Semi-Finals at the Qwest Arena on Saturday night. Former Wrangler Garett Bembridge scored a goal and added an assist as the Steelheads took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the best of seven series.
Idaho rookie goalie Steve Silverthorn stopped 38 of 40 Wranglers shots in the victory. Idaho's Marty Fliche, David Bararuk and Gerg Rallo each scored in the win. Center Matt Dzieduszycki and defenseman Adam Pardy scored for the Wranglers in the defeat.
Idaho leads the series 3-1 with Game Five slated for Monday night at 6:10 pm (PST) in Boise.
In the second period, Las Vegas replaced goalie Mike McKenna with Marc Magliarditi. The Steelheads got to him early when at 4:05 of the middle period when Idaho extended the lead to 3-0. Rookie forward Greg Rallo scooped up a puck off a deflection and broke in alone on Las Vegas goalie Marc Magliarditi, banking the puck off his inner pad and into the back of the net.
The Wranglers battled back with a power play to get on the board at 7:57. Defenseman Tyler Sloan sent a cross-ice pass to the right wing circle for Matt Dzieduszycki for his first goal of the playoffs, trimming the Idaho lead to 3-1.
Idaho caught a break towards the end of the period when an apparent goal was waived off by referee Matt Bialotta. Chris Neiszner shot a
puck off the glove of Idaho goalie Steve Silverthorn. Silverthorn's glove was along the goal line while he was sprawled out on the ice. The puck rolled along his glove and appeared to be over the line.
In the third period, Las Vegas notched a goal to trim the Steelheads lead to 3-2 at 9:58. Winger Steve Crampton slid the puck to the point for defenseman Adam Pardy. The rookie fired a slapshot through traffic and into the back of the net to pull Las Vegas within one. The Wranglers pulled goalie Marc Magliarditi for the extra-attacker and Idaho took advantage as Bembidge scored an empty-net goal with 45-seconds remaining.
In order for the Wranglers to play Game 6 at home and avoid elimination from the First Round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, Las Vegas must win on Monday.
Friday, April 14 Las Vegas Wranglers (5) @ Idaho Steelheads (4)
Boise, Idaho -- The Las Vegas Wranglers (1-2) beat the Idaho Steelheads (2-1) 5-4 in overtime in Game Three of the West Division Semi-Finals at the Qwest Arena on Friday night. Las Vegas forward Todd Alexander scored the game-winning goal just 6:37 into overtime for the victory. Las Vegas relinquished a 3-0 lead in the third period as the Steelheads scored four goals in the third period to force the extra frame.
Center Chris Neiszner scored a goal and set up the game-winning tally as the road team won for the third straight game in this series. Las Vegas winger Dan Tudin scored twice and Steve Crampton added a goal in the first playoff win for Las Vegas in two years. Idaho leads the series 2-1 with Game Four slated for Saturday night at 6:10 pm (PST)
