(Photo by Kevin Pyle – www.photopyle.com)
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Tulsa Oilers VS Colorado Eagles 7:05 p.m.
Watch on ECHL-TV
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
0-3-0-0
TEAM CAPSULES
Tulsa Oilers
Overall: 32-28-3-2 (69 points)
Home: 21-9-3-1
Road: 11-19-0-1
Rank: 3rd in Central Division
Colorado Eagles
Overall: 36-26-3-1 (76 points)
Home: 22-8-3-1
Road: 14-18-0-0
Rank: 3rd in West Division
OILERS LEADERS
Goals: Phil Brewer – 23
Assists: Dennis Brown – 28
Points: Adam Pleskach – 43
+/-: Phil Brewer, + 11
PIM: Mathieu Gagnon – 149
EAGLES LEADERS
Goals: Jesse Mychan – 27
Assists: Trent Daavettila – 48
Points: Trent Daavettila – 73
+/-: Trent Daavettila, +27
PIM: Darryl Bootland – 236
TONIGHTS MATCHUP
Tonight the Oilers will host the Colorado Eagles for the second consecutive evening in the BOK Center. Last night Tulsa faced one of their largest margin losses at home this season when they were defeated 6-2. Nathan Lutz and Connor Kucera were the goal scores for the Oilers.
ROAD TO KELLY
The Tulsa Oilers are ninth in the Western Conference Standings—just one spot out of the final playoff position. Tulsa will look to increase their 69 points this week as they have an opportunity for an extra six of a possible eight. Last night the Quad City Mallards lost to the Wichita Thunder, keeping them rooted at 72 points.
FRESH FACES
This past weekend the Tulsa Oilers announced four fresh faces to their roster. Although they’re new to Tulsa, not all will be complete strangers to the team. Both forward newcomers Shawn Bates and Ben Murphy have been on the same side as a few Oilers in college. Bates, out of Merrimack College, scored his first goal as an Oiler in his first game with them on Friday against the Grizzlies. Then his second on Saturday. He and Oilers defenseman Justin Mansfield spent time as teammates. Murphy comes to Tulsa after time at Bowling Green State University with Oilers Connor Kucera and Dan DeSalvo.
The third was announced on Saturday. Roberts Lipsbergs out of Riga, Latvia was picked up by the Oilers off of waiver claims. The forward spent 37 games with the Utah Grizzlies this season registering 16 points (9 goals and 7 assists). Lastly, Jacob Poe was picked up from the Allen Americans roster. Out of University of Connecticut, defenseman Poe skated in 34 contests with the Americans and inked 4 points alongside 15 penalty minutes. Poe had his first point (1 assist) in his first game as an Oiler, last night.
POWER HOUSE
When in the BOK Center, the Oilers bring it. In their own home, the Oilers are first in the ECHL on the power play. Tulsa may be in last place on the road with the man advantage but at home they dominate with their 21.3%. They have 20 total power play goals on 94 attempts in 34 games.
MOOSE MOVES
The Moose still have Oilers’ leading goal scorer, Dan DeSalvo, on loan. DeSalvo, on a contact with Tulsa, made his AHL debut with the Moose where he produced an assist. In his second game, DeSlavo tallied his first AHL goal against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, March 11. Monday, the Manitoba Moose recalled goaltender Jussi Olkinuora after six impressive and consecutive starts with the Oilers.
EXTRA DROPS
The Oilers are sixth in the ECHL in shots against with a 27.88 percentage… Kevin Carr is eleventh among goaltenders with a 2.35 goals against average and third in minutes with 2498… Phil Brewer is tied at third among rookies with 23 goals… Tulsa leads in team high penalty minutes with 109 on 01/02/16…
-Oilers-
