LAS VEGAS , NV – In an emotional and physical Game 5 the Wranglers came up victorious to move ahead in the series. The game was played at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas before 5,389 fans.
The first period was a game of defense and end-to-end skating and but no scoring.
The first goal of the game came at 6:37 into the second period. A shot that went just under Parker Van Buskirk’s blocker by J.D.Watts, would put the Wranglers on the board; both Mike Hamilton and Mike Madill were credited with an assist.
Then at 9:42 Adam Miller buried a shorthanded goal on a drive up the middle . Kelly Czuy and Dan Spang were each given an assist. It wouldn’t be long before Stockton’s Damian Surma would help the Thunder stay in the game. At 13:13 on a delayed penalty, a feed from Cory Urquhart to Surma went past Glenn Fisher. Tyler Kindle was also credited with an assist.
Before the end of the period a power play opportunity was converted by Las Vegas’ Spang with assists to Dan Riedel and Czuy at 15:28. The goal gave the Wranglers some breathing room with a score of 3-1.
Surma’s second goal at 16:54, bounced off Fisher’s skate and into the net, assisted by Kenny MacAuley. The second period ended with the Wranglers leading 3-2. Despite being behind on the scoreboard Stockton led the shots on goal 15-12 during the period.
The third period was dominated by s hots from Stockton, as they pounded away at Fisher in the net with 15 shots. But Las Vegas would put the final nail in the game with an empty net goal by Scott McMulloch with 31 seconds left in regulation. Riedel was credited with an assist on the goal. Van Buskirk made 29 saves, but Fisher held off the Thunder’s attack with 36 saves on the night.
By virtue of the win over Stockton the Wranglers are in the lead in this series for the first time. Las Vegas will have a chance to win the series when Game 6 is played on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Thunder will be in a must-win situation in order to force a Game 7.
Contact the writer: shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
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