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Las Vegas Wranglers Snap Skid, Smother Colorado Eagles 3-0

Behind two points from forward Shawn Skelly and 24 saves from goaltender Mitch O’Keefe, the Las Vegas Wranglers ice hockey team took down the Colorado Eagles 3-0 on Sunday during the third annual Wranglers Midnight Circus (Pictured: Las Vegas forward Shawn Skelly scored a goal in his first period as a Wrangler and added an assist to finish with two points in the 3-0 win – Photo credit to IIA Photography). 

Adam Hughesman and Matt Tassone also chipped in two points each in the victory, giving Hughesman six in his last seven games and Tassone seven in his last eight.

For the fourth time in the last five contests it was the Wranglers again drawing first blood, with Shawn Skelly scoring his first goal as a Wrangler 16:13 into his first period with the team. The goal was Skelly’s sixth on the year, nabbing the other five as a member of the Alaska Aces, and was assisted by Matt Tassone (15) and Chad Nehring (8). For Nehring, the assist gave him an even 10 points in his last 10 contests (6g, 4a).

With neither team able to break through in the second frame, Las Vegas took the ice in the third still holding a 1-0 lead. It wasn’t until midway through the period when the Wranglers would triple their lead thanks to power-play goals from Robbie Smith (3) and Adam Hughesman (14). Smith’s score, his first since Nov. 11, was assisted by Hughesman (13) and Nolan Julseth-White. Just a short 38 seconds later Hughesman himself would get on the scoreboard, increasing his team scoring lead, thanks to assists from Skelly (10) and Tassone (16).

The win snapped an eight game winless streak for Las Vegas, and was their second shutout victory of the season – both belonging to O’Keefe.

The full box score of tonight’s game can be found here.

The Wranglers and Eagles will face off again in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:05pm with the first 1,000 fans in attendance receiving free Wranglers Trading Card sets. Las Vegas will then take on the Bakersfield Condors in a home-and-home that starts Saturday, Feb. 22 in Bakersfield and then returns to Sin City on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7:05pm. Once again, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive free Wranglers Trading Card sets, featuring specialty player portraits.

Group tickets for the Wranglers’ 11th season are on sale now! With five different event options for groups of 10 or more, a Wranglers game is the perfect way to celebrate with friends, host a unique corporate outing, or fundraise for your organization. Groups can save 35 percent off regular game-day ticket prices, and luxury packages start at just $300 with food and drink options available. For more information, contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 or visit wranglers.co. Don’t forget to find the Wranglers on Facebook and follow @WranglersLV on Twitter for the latest updates.