03/05/2008 12:12 AM -

NO DICE
Ferraro's hat trick, Lalande's 31 saves victimize Thunder


STATS: Box score

LAS VEGAS - Veteran Peter Ferraro registered a hat trick and goaltender Kevin Lalande made 31 saves to help the Las Vegas Wranglers send the Stockton Thunder (23-32-3, 49 points) to a 5-1 loss at Orleans Arena on a late Tuesday night.

Las Vegas raced out with three early goals and built a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Veteran Peter Ferraro cashed in the first two goals of the contest, the first coming at the 8:10 mark on a re-direction from Jason Dest's pass at the left circle and slammed in a one-timer from the left circle with 9:46 left for a 2-0 lead and Las Vegas' first power-play goal of the game.

Kelly Czuy's ninth goal of the season at the 13:35 mark lifted the Wranglers to a 3-0 edge on the team's second power-play goal of the game, converting on a one-timer that was set-up by Adam Cracknell's feed from the left corner. Czuy's shot caught a piece of Thunder goaltender Tim Boron and slowly skidded across the goal line.

Ferraro completed his hat trick with two minutes left in the second period on a wrap-around goal to push the Las Vegas lead to 4-0. Ferraro corralled a pass by Tyler Mosienko on a forechecking cycle, walked out from the left corner and lifted a wrist shot in the deep slot over Boron's blocker.

Lalande made 23 saves through two periods to keep the Thunder off the scoreboard which included two stops from close range on Jason Beeman at the mid-way point of the second period.

Fredrik Johansson's second goal of the season drew the Thunder to a 4-1 deficit with 3:54 elapsed in the third period, taking Joel Stepp's pass from the behind the net and burying a one-timer in the low slot.

Josh Sciba's seventh goal of the season, a power-play goal for the Wranglers, wrapped up the game and pushed the lead to 5-1 with under two minutes remaining.

NOTES: The Thunder missed the services of Ryan MacMurchy (injured reserve), Beau Geisler (injured reserve) and Pat Bateman (healthy scratch) ... before the game, defenseman Ryan Geris was placed on the three-day injured reserve list... the Thunder finished the regular season series with a record of 2-7-0 against Las Vegas and are now 4-15-1 in the all-time series.

The Thunder returns home for its next game against the Idaho Steelheads this Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and online (video and audio available) at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/, courtesy of B2 Networks. 

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to the Stockton Arena in 2006-07.  Season tickets, group tickets and individual tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now.  For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.


THREE STARS:
1. LV - Peter Ferraro
2. LV - Tyler Mosienko
3. LV - Ryan Donnally