Road weary Wranglers fall in Utah

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 | 12:20 a.m.

Nov. 21 -- Wranglers shut out Utah for first road victory
Nov. 18 -- Wranglers still searching for first road victory
Nov. 16 -- Wranglers smash Steelheads
Nov. 14 -- Wranglers completely collapse against Idaho
Nov. 10 -- Wranglers remain winless on the road
Nov. 9 -- Watt's hat trick lifts Wranglers over Phoenix
Nov. 7 -- Wranglers crush Condors
Nov. 1 -- Wranglers get season's second second win

The Las Vegas Wranglers slipped into an early four-goal hole Saturday night at the E-Center and never recovered as they fell to the Utah Grizzlies 5-2.

Despite out-shooting the Grizzlies 45-21, the Wranglers (6-7-2) were stymied by Utah goalie Mike Mole all night as Utah (7-7-0) finished the first period with a 3-0 lead.

Utah forward Justin Johnson notched his first goal of the season early in the second period to give the Grizzlies their largest lead of the night. Las Vegas defenseman Jeff May put the Wranglers on the board in the final two minutes of that period with his fifth goal of the year.

That second period also featured a slew of penalties including game misconducts for Las Vegas' Gord Baldwin and Utah's Johnson for fighting.

Wranglers defenseman Bret Tyler would add his first career goal in the third period to slash Las Vegas' deficit to 4-2, but Matt Craig sealed the game at 5-2 with his goal at 17:56.

Las Vegas travels to Phoenix on Saturday before returning home on Monday Dec. 1 to face the Pacific Division leading Fresno Falcons (10-4-1).

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.