OILERS DROP CLOSE BATTLE WITH QUAD CITY

OILERS DROP CLOSE BATTLE WITH QUAD CITY

Two third period goals give Quad City the victory over Tulsa

TULSA, OK — Forward Sam Warning and the Quad City Mallards scored two third period goals at home to give the first-place Oilers their first loss of the season, Sunday.

Tulsa found themselves trailing first for just the second time this season, when forward Warning scored on a two-on-one 6:32 into the first period. Justin Kovacs picked up his fifth assist on the season, and Mike Wilson’s secondary assist gave him his first point of the season. There would be plenty more shots in the first period, but no more scoring, as Quad City took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Both goaltenders would stop everything before Christophe Lalancette scored on a top shelf back hander 10:18 into the second period. Lalancette’s goal is his second of the weekend and the season. Forward Garrett Ladd got his first point of the season on the play, and Jacob Poe registered his third assist this year. Just like Warning’s earlier goal, Lalancette’s tally would be the only goal of the period.

Quad City would open up the scoring in the final frame. Mallard’s forward Chris Francis put his first of the season past former Mallard Brody Hoffman just 1:57 into the period. Nathan Todd had the lone assist on the goal. First-year Oiler Brandon Martell blasted a one-timer from forward Emerson Clark at the 7:28 mark. Martell’s goal was his first of the season, and Clark’s assist gives the ECHL Player of the Week nine points on the season. Quad City’s Warning would have a quick answer when he buried his second goal of the game less than a minute later. Warning’s back hand goal was assisted by Kovacs and Gibson. Warning’s goal would prove to be the game winner.

Tulsa will return home for a two-game home stand. The Oilers will play Utah at 7:05 at the BOK Center on Wednesdayand will play Missouri at home at 7:05 on Friday.

(Attached Photo Credit: Kristina Huling)

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