(Photo by Johnna/Wichita)
Wichita, KS (April 8, 2016)–Advancing them to a four-game winning streak, the Tulsa Oilers defeated the Wichita Thunder 2-1 on Friday night inside Intrust Bank Area.
The first period was scoreless as the two played in an even fashion with just one shot-on-goal apart.
The second saw a fair amount of back and forth action between the Oilers and Thunder. Phil Brewer mixed things up when he worked his way down the middle lane on a breakaway and inked a shorthanded goal with only 1:46 left in the frame. Shawn Bates and Dennis Brown were helpers.
In what seemed like another goaless period, the third frame would turn around with 60 seconds to go. First, Adam Pleskach slapped a wrister into an empty net to up the Oilers lead, 2-0. Then it was Wichita’s turn. From the blue line, Domenic Alberga blasted the puck past Jussi Olkinuora with under 30 seconds to go, ending any shutout opportunities. Dean Chelios and Donnie Harris grabbed assists.
Oklinuora stopped 29 shots for the Oilers, leading them to victory over the Thunder.
Tulsa will play their final game of the season tomorrow night in the BOK Center against Wichita at 7:05 p.m.
-Oilers-
Older Preview:
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Tulsa Oilers @ Missouri Mavericks 7:05 p.m.
Watch on ECHL-TV
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
5-5-1-1
All-time: 20-42-5
TEAM CAPSULES
Tulsa Oilers
Overall: 33-30-3-2 (71 points)
Home: 21-10-3-1
Road: 12-20-0-1
Rank: 3rd in Central Division
Missouri Mavericks
Overall: 51-13-3-2 (107 points)
Home: 29-5-0-1
Road: 22-8-3-1
Rank: 1st in Central Division
OILERS LEADERS
Goals: Phil Brewer – 19
Assists: Dennis Brown – 27
Points: Adam Pleskach – 40
+/-: Dennis Brown +14
PIM: Mathieu Gagnon – 132
MAVERICKS LEADERS
Goals: Jesse Root – 26
Assists: Tyler Barnes – 37
Points: Tyler Barnes – 61
+/-: Jesse Root, +34
PIM: Sebastien Sylvestre – 66
TONIGHTS MATCHUP
The Oilers and Mavericks will dance on the ice one last night before potentially meeting up in Round 1 of the playoffs. No other team has had success over the Mavericks quite the way Tulsa has. The Oilers are 5-5-1-1 against the Mavericks. Over the weekend, the Allen Americans became the second team with five wins against them. Tulsa will compete for a much needed two points.
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 71 points this week as they have an opportunity for an extra eight. If the Oilers won all four of their games this week and Quad City did a fair share of losing, Tulsa could jump on that magic number and earn a spot.
BITING BATE
Forward Shawn Bates recently joined the Oilers roster. In his first four games, the newcomer has recorded three goals. Bates, out of Merrimack College, owns five points in six games with the Tulsa. The Vermilion, Alberta native came to the Oilers off waiver claims after spending 17 games in the ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators.
POWER [PLAY] HOUSE
When in the BOK Center, the Oilers bring it. In their own home, the Oilers are second in the ECHL on the power play. Tulsa may be in last place on the road with the man advantage but at home they have 21.4% just behind the Fort Wayne Komets. They have 21 total power play goals on 98 attempts in 35 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. In 11 games, the forward has seven points. Last week goaltender Jussi Olkinoura was both recalled by the Manitoba Moose then reassigned to Tulsa.
#ECHLMarchMASKness
The ECHL is hosting a social media contest during the month of March. An image of each team’s selected mask will go ‘head to head’ against another in a Twitter poll—giving fans the chance to vote for what they think is cooler. The bracket began with 16 chosen teams–of which the Oilers were selected. Kevin Carr’s special Alzheimer’s mask has advanced through rounds one, two and three. The Finals have commenced between the Oilers ‘#ENDALZ’ mask and the Toledo Walley’s mask. To vote, go to @ECHL’s page on Twitter and vote for Tulsa/Carr on the Twitter poll. Voting will last 24 hours and ends tonight at 7 PM CDT.
OIL DROPS
The Oilers are fifth in the ECHL in shots against with a 27.66 percentage… Kevin Carr is twelfth among goaltenders with a 2.39 goals against average and third in minutes with 2616… Phil Brewer is third among rookies with 24 goals… Tulsa leads in team high penalty minutes with 109 on 01/02/16…
