#22 Chris Neiszner's 3rd period goal was the game-winner.

The Las Vegas Wranglers® (32-29-8, 72 Points) defeated the Alaska Aces (43-23-3, 89 Points) 5-3 in front of 5,497 fans Friday night at the Orleans Arena. Forward Mick Lawrence scored two goals and added an assist as the Wranglers improved to 20-11-2 at home this season. Forwards Scott McColluch and Chris Neiszner each tallied a goal and an assist as for Las Vegas. Wranglers’ goalie Glenn Fisher stopped 25 of 28 shots, improving to 11-6-2 this season. Forwards Matt Stefanishion, Scott Burt, and Bret Hemingway each scored for Alaska.  Alaska goalie J.P. Lamoureux made 24 saves as the loss snapped and Aces three-game winning streak. Las Vegas will play in Bakersfield on Saturday night at 7:00 PM.

In the first period, Alaska jumped out to a 1-0 lead with an early power-play goal from forward Matt Stefanishion. Aces Corbin Schmidt and Alexandre Imbeault set up Stefanishion’s 18th goal of the season at 5:39. Alaska tallied again at 8:58, Captain Scott Burt’s 17th goal of the season. Corbin Schmidt added another assist setting up Burt on a two-on-one for the 2-0 Aces lead.

Las Vegas cut the lead in half with a power-play goal from Dan Riedel at 11:27 of the second period. Forwards Mick Lawrence and Kelly Czuy set up Riedel’s 21st goal of the season to make it 2-1. The Wranglers pulled even with a power-play goal from Mick Lawrence just 2:27 later. Lawrence deflected a Bret Tyler shot from the point for his 12th goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Las Vegas took the lead at 18:38 with a goal from Scott McColluch. McCollluch stepped into the slot and beat Alaska goalie J.P. Lamoureux with a backhand shot for his third goal of the season, and a 3-2 Wranglers lead.

In the third period, forward Chris Neiszner put the Wranglers up 4-2. Neiszner put in a rebound for his 19th goal of the season at 10:53 of the final period. Alaska pulled back within a goal at 14:39 of the third period with a goal from forward Bret Hemingway. Lance Galbraith and Alexandre Imbeault set up Hemingway’s 10th goal of the season to cut the score to 4-3. With just 47-seconds left in regulation, Wranglers forward Mick Lawrence tallied his second goal of the game, firing the puck into an empty net for the 5-3 Las Vegas win.

The Wranglers will play in Bakersfield on Saturday night at 7:00 PM and in Stockton on Sunday 4:00 PM.