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Wranglers Fall Hard to Grizzlies, 5-1

Special teams proved to be the difference Saturday night as the Utah Grizzlies used three power-play goals and short-handed score to take down Las Vegas 5-1. Utah goaltender Igor Bobkov made 25 saves in the victory, which extended the Wranglers’ winless streak to five games (Photo credit: IIA Photography). 

Wranglers’ rookie Greg Coburn would be the first to get on the scoreboard, punching his fourth of the year past Bobkov to give Las Vegas a 1-0 lead. The goal came on the power-play, and was assisted by Matt Tassone (14) and Adam Hughesman (11), who extended his individual point streak to four games. The man-advantage score would be only one of the period, as Las Vegas took both the 1-0 lead and 12-8 shot advantage to the dressing room.

The Grizzlies would finally get on the board with 12:24 remaining in the second period as Mathieu Aubin (11) also put in a power-play goal of his own, assisted by Phil Mangan (11) and Vinny Scarsella (13). Utah would strike once more, this time short-handed, as with 23 seconds to go in the period, Michael Pelech snuck his ninth of the year past Vegas goaltender Mitch O’Keefe, assisted by Jamie MacQueen (12).

The third period would be all Utah, as the Grizzlies hammered home three more goals to take an ultimate 5-1 lead. The first came from Danick Paquette (11), again on the power-play, assisted by Scarsella (14) and Mangan (12), making it a 3-1 game. Utah forward David Vallorani would then make it an even three power-play goals on the night, as he grabbed his 16th of the year from Aubin (18) and Scarsella (15) to put the Grizzlies on top 4-1. For Scarsella, it was his third assist of the night, as he took home first star honors in the win. Finally, Mangan (8) made it a 5-1 game with the night’s first even strength goal, assisted from Ben Gwidt (13) and Vallorani (32), who finished with a two point night.

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

The Wranglers will head to Ontario, California to take on the Reign on Wednesday, Feb. 12, before the two collide back here in Vegas on Friday, Feb. 14.

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.