The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Utah Grizzlies 6-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five playoff series. Forward Ned Lukacevic led the Wranglers in scoring with two goals and two assists. Las Vegas also saw goals from Adam Miller, Josh Prudden and Chris Neiszner. Wranglers netminder Jimmy Spratt made 22 saves on 25 shots, while Utah's Mikko Koskinen made eight saves on 11 shots before being pulled for Mike Morrison, who stopped 15 of 18 shots in the loss.

The first period started slowly but ended well for the Wranglers, with three goals scored for Las Vegas. The scoring began with a power play goal from Adam Miller, assisted by Ned Lukacevic and Barry Goers, with 8:36 left in the period. Just over four minutes later, the Wranglers continued to perform well on special teams, as Josh Prudden scored a shorthanded goal on a rebound from Ned Lukacevic and Jason Krischuk. Chris Neiszner capped the scoring in the first as his shot from Alex Bourret and Mick Lawrence rolled in off the glove of Utah goaltender Mikko Koskinen. Las Vegas led Utah 3-0 as the period drew to a close.

In the second period, the Wranglers continued their scoring at 4:47 with an unassisted goal from Ned Lukacevic. Utah fought back with two goals in 71 seconds, the first scored by Matt Sorteberg from Malcolm MacMillan and AJ Perry, followed by a shorthanded goal from Ryan Kinasewich assisted by James Sixsmith and Brian Kilburg. With the Grizzlies serving a penalty for too many men on the ice, the Wranglers scored with 11.2 seconds left in the second on a power play goal from Ned Lukacevic, assisted by Adam Miller and Craig Switzer, to end the period leading Utah 5-2.

In the third period, Utah continued to battle back with Ryan Kinasewich's second goal of the night just 34 seconds in to bring the score to 5-3 in favor of Las Vegas. Alex Bourret scored five minutes later, assisted by Mike Madill and Mick Lawrence, to seal the Wranglers' victory and make the final score 6-3.

The Wranglers face the Utah Grizzlies again Sunday at 3:05 pm PDT in Utah for Game Four of the 2010 Kelly Cup National Conference Quarterfinals. If necessary, Game Five will take place Tuesday in Utah at 6:05 pm PDT.