Wranglers smoke Salmon Kings in road trip opener

By Steve Silver

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 3:09 a.m.

The Las Vegas Wranglers are officially on a hot streak as a fiery first period in Victoria scalded the Salmon Kings 4-2 in front of 4,652 fans at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre Wednesday night.

The Wranglers, who have now won five of their last six games, are three games above .500 for the first time all season with a 21-18-4 record. Wednesday's victory also moves Las Vegas just one point away from second place Stockton Thunder (21-20-5) and six points from the first place Ontario Reign (24-16-4) in the Pacific Division.

Las Vegas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals by Justin Taylor and Dan Spang. The Wranglers out-shot the Salmon Kings 19-8 in the opening period.

Tyler Mosienko recorded his 11th goal of the season when he buried one of Taylor's rebounds just eight minutes into the second period to give the Wranglers a 3-0 advantage.

Victoria (29-13-4) answered back, though, as Wes Goldie and Chris St. Jacques helped the Salmon Kings pull within one to head to the second intermission trailing 3-2.

The Wranglers held strong in the third period, however, as Chris Ferraro sealed the game with a last minute empty netter for the 4-2 final.

Las Vegas goalie Glenn Fisher made 34 saves to pick up his second victory with the Wranglers.

The Wranglers and the Salmon Kings return to action on Friday at 7:05 p.m.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].