(Photo by Josie Vimahi)
The Tulsa Oilers opened a three-game weekend against the Utah Grizzlies with a 3-2 shootout win on Wednesday night. Oilers goaltender Jussi Olkinuora made 43 saves as well as stopping both shootout attempts by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies would take the first two goals but the Oilers claimed the rest thereafter.
A turn over resulted in Utah’s favor 13:12 into the first when Barry Almeida went one-on-one with Olkinuora and back handed the rubber in the net. The period finished 1-0.
The power play controlled the second period.
A 5-on-3 advantage for the Grizzlies and some Ryan Hayes magic doubled their lead. Utah would sit 2-0 the help of Eric Knodel and Charles Sarault.
The Oilers earned themselves two goals of their own. Two power play goals back-to-back for Tulsa tied up the contest at 2-2. Christophe Lalancette inked the first one just a second short of giving his team a 5-on-3 goal as well. Instead he gave them a goal on the one-man advantage. Tom Kroshus and Stefan Legein were credited with assists. Next was the Phil Brewer tally. Brewer dotted his 22nd of the season on the power play. Kroshus took his second assist.
The two squads remained tied through the final frame although the Grizzlies would outshoot the Oilers 17-2.
Overtime proved no winner.
Olkinoura would allow zero shootout goals as Brady Ramsay and Adam Pleskach helped the Oilers advance to their 3-2 win.
The Oilers’ two gained points pushed them ahead of the Quad City Mallards with 69 points.
The series continues between Tulsa and Utah on Friday and Saturday night in the Maverick Center.
