(Photo by Kevin Pyle-www.photopyle.com)
Thursday night in Tulsa ended with an Oilers 3-1 loss to the Utah Grizzlies. The home team struck first to get things rolling but three unanswered Grizzlie goals would seal Tulsa’s record 21-17-2-2.
Fans in the BOK Center were not the only ones thirsty on $1 beer night as both the Oilers and Grizzlies performed a fast and aggressive first frame. With opportunities plenty for each squad, the Oilers would knock first and the Grizzlies would answer twice.
A well-worked puck by Dan DeSalvo would be placed across the ice for Emerson Clark who slapped it past goaltender Ryan Faragher.
The Clark goal celebration was cut short when only 50 seconds later, the Grizzlies bit back. Charles Sarault would put in a one-timer from the right circle–Ryan Misiak and Phil Pietroniro were credited with assists.
The 16:52 mark would be Utah goal number two and their first lead of the night, 2-1. With a scramble in front of Kevin Carr, three Grizzlies went back and forth before Charles Sarault finally got a piece of the puck that got behind the Oilers’ netminder.
Aside from three power plays (one for Tulsa, two for Utah) that neither team produced on, the second frame stayed tame.
Utah extended their lead in the third period at 10:58 when Carr came out of the goal to cut off the puck and was beaten by Ryan Walters.
The contest would go in favor of the Utah Grizzlies as they notched a 3-1 victory and took the lead in the series with Tulsa, 2-1-0-0.
The Oilers and Grizzlies will meet again on Saturday in the BOK Center for Tulsa’s 8th Annual Pink in the Rink night sponsored by TD Williamson benefitting Turn Tulsa Pink.
-#GOilers-
Need something to keep your mind busy until the next game? Prep your pink outfits! We will be having Pink in the Rink on February 6th against the Utah Grizzlies. We want to see you decked out in pink. Tutus, Pink Oilers jerseys, nail polish. It might not be Wednesday, but for a great cause, we can make an exception to the rule. Last year some of your favorite players received pedicures after a long road trip. Of course we had to get some pink polish on those toes, so we did just that. Our players are great supporters of the cause, and are ready to see you decked out too! Make sure to stick around after the game to bid on your favorite player’s special edition jersey. You can also take a photo with the Pink in the Rink logo, located behind the goals, after the Valentine’s Day game against the Wichita Thunder. All Sunday games have post game skates with the players. Skates can be rented for $3 a pair beginning immediately following the final horn. February is full of things to do in Tulsa. It’s not too late to take advantage of a season ticket holder benefits, we know you will love it.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Tulsa, make sure to put the Tulsa Oilers at the top of your list. The Oilers have been a Tulsa tradition for decades. Have you heard someone refer to the Oilers as Ice Oilers? That’s because there was once a minor-league baseball team also called the Tulsa Oilers and to lessen confusion, the hockey team became the Ice Oilers, a trend that live on today. Hockey isn’t new to Tulsa. In fact, Tulsa’s first hockey team played their first game on January 1, 1929 and with the exception of a short relocation to Minnesota, the team stayed until World War II.
The Missouri Mavericks are always a fun event to bring out your kids, your parents, your friends, the boss your trying to impress, out to. The Oilers have annihilated multiple winning streaks from the Missouri locker room. The Mavericks are currently the league leaders but that doesn’t discourage the Oilers. They put up a hard fight, making us all wish we could just get two minutes in the sin bin when just because its Monday and you forgot your coffee on the kitchen counter and they looked at you wrong. The moral of the stories is coming to a game when the Tulsa Oilers are playing the Missouri Mavericks is only a good idea if you want to have fun. And if you wear stretch pants, you can really get your bang for your buck on dollar hot dog night. So go ahead, get another hot dog. We won’t judge. In fact, we will openly admit we use a twenty to start the night.
Come back again Thursday night thirsty! This is the last Thursday of the regular season where you can grab a beer for just one dollar. Not only can you get that dollar beer, but you can also catch the Oilers take on the Utah Grizzlies in the BOK for the second and (almost) final time this season. The Grizzlies hail from West Valley City, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The first time the Oilers met up with the Grizzlies, they sent the home with a 5-1 loss. More recently. we saw the Grizzlies on January 13th, when the Oilers traveled to Maverick Center to face the West Division leaders. This appearance didn’t favor for the Oilers who put up two goals but the Mavericks ended the game with five successful shots on Kevin Carr who was fresh in the net after a three game suspension. The Oilers will look to reclaim the lead in the series against Utah Thursday before facing them one final time at the BOK Center. Don’t forget to bring your ones, and if you’re a student, make sure to bring your ID to the Box Office window to receive a ticket and a slice of Papa John’s pizza inside the BOK Center for only $12. This offer is valid every weekday game, including dollar hot dog night. Another good weekday promotion comes through Jack-In-the-Box. Get a combo there and see what it gets you for an Oilers game! Lunch and hockey? Ok, fine!
