OILERS BEAT MALLARDS FOR FIRST WIN OF 2017-18
Tulsa’s rookie goaltender Devin Williams stopped 32 of 34 shots for his first career victory, as the Oilers win 5-2 in the Quad Cities.
MOLINE, IL – The Tulsa Oilers never trailed in a 5-2 win Wednesday against the Quad City Mallards at TaxSlayer Center, the first win of the Rob Murray era.
The Oilers (1-2-0) dominated the first period of action, outshooting the Mallards (1-2-0) 22-9 in the frame. Justin Selman started the scoring for Tulsa 3:49 into the game after he was set up by a pass from former Mallard Vladimir Nikiforov in the corner.
Later in the period, Adam Pleskach scored his second goal in as many games when he tipped in a shot from Chris Joyaux at the point to make it 2-0. Russian defenseman Dmitrii Sergeev assisted on both Tulsa goals to give him four helpers in his first three Oilers games.
Quad City cut Tulsa’s lead in half 2:12 into the second period, when Sam Warning deflected a shot from the point past Oilers goaltender Devin Williams. The Oilers answered when Tommy Vannelli capitalized with a power play goal from the slot to put Tulsa back in front by two goals. Justin Kovacs closed the gap again when he scored to make it 3-2 before the second intermission.
Williams stood tall in the third period on his way to a 32-save victory, his first professional win. Conner Bleackley added an insurance goal for Tulsa with 5:08 to play, and rookie Evan Richardson scored his first career goal into an empty net to complete the 5-2 score.
Tulsa next heads to Indianapolis for a Saturday night showdown with the Indy Fuel at 6:35pm CT at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Catch the action on the Sports Animal Radio Network in Tulsa (99.9FM/1550AM) or www.tulsaoilers.com by clicking on the “Listen Live” button. Fans can watch every ECHL game all season long by subscribing to ECHL.TV.
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