Wranglers defeat Stockton 5-2 in annual midnight game

By Ed Hauth

Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 | 8:48 a.m.

Some fans came dressed for a late-night party, while others showed up wearing pajamas to watch the Wranglers defeat Stockton 5-2 Wednesday morning in the team’s ninth annual midnight game.

“Hopefully what people take away from it is that it’s an awesome atmosphere and it’s an amazing game,” Wranglers head coach Ryan Mougenel said. “Hopefully those people get hooked and will come back. We’re pretty passionate about our atmosphere and everything else that goes on here.”

Some 4,622 fans surfaced at the Orleans Arena to witness the Wranglers pick up a division win in a contest that didn’t end until 2:28 a.m.

The Wranglers’ crowd grew boisterous in the third period as Las Vegas finished the game scoring three goals in the final frame, including an empty-net goal by Adam Huxley with 22 seconds remaining for the team’s fifth goal.

The midnight game featured three fights between the Pacific Division foes. In the first period, Huxley and Thunder right winger Cameron Abney each picked up major fighting penalties after exchanging blows at center ice.

Another fight broke out in the third period after Wranglers defenseman Jamie Fritsch scored his first goal of the year to extend the lead to 4-2. Las Vegas defenseman Channing Boe and Thunder defenseman Bretton Cameron exchanged punches prior to the ensuing faceoff.

Wranglers center Ash Goldie scored the game-tying goal at the 5:35 mark of the second period after Stockton took the lead with consecutive goals from Matt Foy and Ryan Martindale. He was assisted by Barry Goers and Adam Miller.

“It’s a different routine staying up late, but once you get out there, you don’t notice what time it is. It feels like a normal game,” Goldie said. “I don’t mind it at all. Tonight I got to have dinner with my wife and son, so it was nice that way.”

Stars of the game: 1. Adam Huxley (1 goal, 1 assist); 2. Ash Goldie (1 goal); 3. Michael Busto (2 assists).

Lampe’s leads ECHL: Eric Lampe scored a wraparound goal in the first period for his ECHL-leading 24th goal of the season. Lampe remains a point behind Judd Blackwater, who picked up his 24th assist of the year in the third period to move into a tie for second place on the ECHL scoring list with 37 points.

Home Ice Advantage: The Wranglers wrapped up their final home game of the 2011 calendar year with Wednesday’s victory over Stockton. Las Vegas finished December with a record of 8-2 at the Orleans Arena. The Wranglers return home on Friday, Jan. 13 to face Ontario.

Next up: The Wranglers begin a five-game road trip with a two-game set against Idaho starting Friday and concluding on New Year’s Eve.

Final word: “The biggest thing for us was we found a way to win,” Mougenel said. “That’s a sign of a good team. I thought a lot of guys stood up for themselves, which was awesome. I liked us at times. I didn’t like us at times. But we found a way to get it done.”