Oilers Move Back into First Place with Shootout Win in Wichita
November 30, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
WICHITA, KS - For the fourth time in six meetings, the Tulsa Oilers and the Wichita Thunder battled beyond regulation and for the fourth time, the Oilers found a way to win. Behind 23 saves from Kevin Carr and gorgeous shootout goal by Drew Fisher, the Oilers picked up a 3-2 victory over the Thunder on Sunday evening in front of 3,170 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Tulsa improved to 5-1-0 against Wichita this season and has earned points in six of its last seven contests.
The Oilers got off to a fast start and put a goal on the board just two and a half minutes into the contest. Center Steve Mele fired a puck through Wichita netminder Ben Meisner at 2:37 to give Tulsa an early 1-0 edge. Mele's fourth goal of the season was assisted by Matt Larke who extended his point streak to three games.
At 6:58 of the second period, Jon Booras provided the Oilers with a two-goal cushion. The former Thunder center and reigning ECHL Player of the Week jammed a rebound through Meisner for his ninth goal of the season. Wichita was able to cut into the Tulsa lead at 10:58 of the second after Kenton Miller found an open Nikita Kashirsky in between the circles in the Oilers' zone. Kashirsky's quick-trigger shot zipped past Carr to cut the Oilers lead in half. With less than five minutes to play in the middle frame, Wichita leveled the score on the power play. Danick Gauthier re-directed Mike Wilson's shot past Carr for his eighth tally of the season and the Thunder comeback was complete.
The Oilers outshot the Thunder 10-5 in the third period and 3-0 in overtime but 65 minutes was not enough to force a decision. Carr denied four straight Thunder shootout attempts and after T.J. Caig solved Meisner with a snapper, it was Fisher's turn to clinch the contest for the Oilers. Denied by the post on a shorthanded breakaway in the second period, Fisher made no mistake with his shootout deke. The Tulsa winger pulled Meisner to his right and dangled the puck over to his backhand before tucking it inside the far post with one hand on his stick.
Tulsa is 3-2 in shootouts this season with all three victories over Wichita. With the extra point, the Oilers surged past the Allen Americans to claim sole possession of the top spot in the Central Division. Tulsa outshot Wichita 32-25 and recorded more shots than its opponent for the first time in 12 outings. At the end of a string of five games in seven days, the Oilers posted a 3-1-1 record.
The Oilers are back home at the BOK Center on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Americans.
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