User:Stolilv87/Sandbox/Las Vegas Wranglers

The Las Vegas Wranglers are a minor league ice hockey team in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Wranglers were originally to begin play in the West Coast Hockey League, but the WCHL merged with the ECHL before the beginning of the 2003 season. Home games are played at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Wranglers are the first and only team to hold a game that is played at midnight. The annual "Midnight Holiday Roundup" (the 'Holiday' part is so-called because it is held every December) was created so that Las Vegans who work during the usual game times (e.g. employees of the gaming industry), could watch a game. Other wacky Wranglers promotions have included the traditional mullet hat night and even a give away of orange vests that said "Don't Shoot...I'm Human!" during a game on March 17, 2006, a joke on the Dick Cheney hunting incident. The Wranglers are the first team in ECHL history to have three consecutive 100-point seasons.

The Wranglers have been the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames and the AHL's Quad City Flames since the team's inaugural season in 2003. Under the terms of the affiliation agreement, up to nine Flames prospects can play for Las Vegas.

The Wranglers play in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's National Conference and are one of the most prolific teams in ECHL history.

History
The market was previously served by:
 * Las Vegas Thunder (1993-1999) IHL
 * Las Vegas Aces (1994-1995) PSHL

Current roster
As of October 12, 2007:

Team captains

 * 🇨🇦  Jason McBain   2003-05
 * 🇨🇦  Mike McBain    2005-07
 * 🇺🇸  Peter Ferraro  2007-present

Notable players

 * 🇨🇦 Greg Day 2003-04
 * 🇨🇦 Adam Huxley 2004-05
 * 🇨🇦 Brent Krahn 2003-04
 * 🇺🇸 Marc "Mags" Magliarditi 2003-07 (retired with team)
 * 🇨🇦 Jason McBain 2003-05 (retired with team)
 * 🇨🇦 Mike McBain 2003-08 (retired with team)
 * 🇨🇦 Adam Pardy 2005-06
 * 🇨🇦 Dany Sabourin 2003-04
 * 🇺🇸 Billy Tibbetts 2004-05

Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season-by-season Playoff Recap
2007:

2006:

2004:

All-Time Record Versus Opponents
This is a table of the overall win-loss-tie records for the Wranglers against certain opponents. Teams in italics are no longer members of the ECHL. Records in the playoffs are also included in the overall win-loss-tie records presented. The Wranglers have the most success against the Phoenix Roadrunners and the least success against the Reading Royals. Records as of April 02, 2008:

Team

 * 2nd Highest Winning Percentage (.661; 2003-07) in ECHL History
 * 2nd Highest Road Winning Percentage (.632; 2003-07) in ECHL History
 * 3rd Most Points in One Season (112; 2005-06)
 * 3rd Highest Winning Percentage for One Season (.778; 2005-06)
 * 2nd Most Wins in One Season (53; 2005-06)
 * 2nd Most Road Wins in One Season (25; 2005-06)
 * 2nd (12; 2006-07) and 3rd (13; 2005-06) Fewest Loses in One Season
 * Fewest Road Losses in One Season (5; 2006-07)
 * 4th Most Ties in One Season (14; 2006-07)
 * Tied for Longest Road Win Streak in ECHL history (10 - 22'Nov'05 - 31'Dec'05)
 * Hold Longest Win Streak in ECHL history (18 games)
 * Tied with 1990-91 Peoria Rivermen of the IHL for Longest Win Streak in professional hockey history (18 games).
 * First team in ECHL history to have three consecutive 100-point seasons.
 * 2007 Brabham Cup Champions
 * 2007, 2008 Pacific Division Champions

Individual

 * 2006 John Brophy Award (Glen Gulutzan)

Fan traditions
Las Vegas has a reputation for having some of the meanest and most vocal fans in the ECHL. Alaska Aces Fans have taken to copy many of the Wranglers fan traditions. Among their many antics are:

During Visiting Team Player Introductions: During Pre-Game Warm-Ups
 * Screaming "sucks" after each player is introduced (i.e. Announcer:"...at Right Wing Nick Ganga" Fans: "Sucks!")
 * Screaming "and he sucks, too!" after the coach is introduced
 * Fans will boo the officials as the skate on the ice before the game.

During Game:
 * When Wranglers Forward Marco Peluso is on the ice, one fan will yell "Marco" followed by numerous others screaming "Peluso" (a play on the swimming game "Marco Polo")
 * Once a period during stoppage in play, the announcer will thank team dentist Dr. Afshin Azimi, DDS. At this time, many fans will stand up and wave to the crowd, pretending to be the good doctor.
 * Always, when an opponent comes out of the penalty box. The announcer will announce that they are at "Full Strength," with the fans adding without a hitch..."AND THEY STILL SUCK!"
 * The fans seated behind the opponents goaltender for two periods in Section 110, will always taunt and chant the goalies last name several times, other sections join in, and add..."You Suck!"
 * When the referee makes a bad call the fans will begin chanting "Ref, You Suck!"
 * Fans in section 117 ask the PA announcer "How much time?", he then responds, "One minute remaining in the period." The grateful fans then yell, "Thank you!"
 * If you skate for the visiting team, Section 105 first 6 rows will ride you for the entire game. Phoenix right wing Greg Hornby is among their favorite targets.
 * Regularly fans irritate the other team to the point where they will yell back until the coach tells them to SIT DOWN!
 * When the Wranglers play the Alaska Aces, fans make sure to yell at Peter Metcalf of the Aces, after the time he doused a child with water who was banging on the penalty box.
 * When The Wranglers play the Idaho Steelheads, the fans in section 108 will imitate Idaho Goaltender Steve Silverthorn's ritual he performs during a stopage in play.
 * Also when playing the Steelheads, Section 105 has taken to giving the equipment manager the same grief they rain down on the players.
 * On numerous occasions, fans have thrown potatoes on the ice when the Wranglers play Idaho
 * When an opposing player is called for a penalty,the fans will stand and wave good-bye to him as he skates to the penalty box.
 * When a Wranglers goaltender makes a great save the fans in section 110 will stand and bow to him.
 * The fans are especially vocal and rowdy during the playoffs, especially when playing rival Alaska & Idaho!

Championships

 * Division Titles: 2 - 2006-07, 2007-08
 * Kelly Cups: none
 * Brabham Cup Titles: 1 - 2006-07

Affiliation History

 * Calgary Flames (2003 - Present)

Main Rivals
The Las Vegas Wranglers have significant rivalries with the Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors, Fresno Falcons, Idaho Steelheads, and Utah Grizzlies. The longest of the rivalries is with the Utah Grizzlies, which started between the Las Vegas Thunder and the Utah Grizzlies in the International Hockey League and came to its highest point during 1996 IHL Western Conference Finals. The Wranglers and the Steelheads have had a constant rivalry that has centered around the playoffs. The Wranglers have met the Steelheads in all three of their playoff appearnaces. The Alaska Aces rivalry began during the 2005-06 season in which the Wranglers fell one point behind the Aces for the West Division and Brabham Cup titles. The rivalries with the Condors and Falcons started off very softly during the Wranglers inaugural season but has become more heated since the Wranglers move into the Pacific Division during the 2006-07 season.

Theme Songs
The Wranglers have had numerous songs that represent the team during pre-game introductions. Songs that represented the regular season have included: Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy), Stand Up, Ready Steady Go, ...To Be Loved, Crash, and Ain't Nothing Wrong With That. When the team makes the playoffs, the song that was used in the regular season is usually changed. Songs that have represented the playoffs have included: The Hand That Feeds and Lights and Sounds.