Americans' Two-Man Advantage Dooms Oilers' Home Opener
October 27, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - For a second straight game, the Oilers watched an opponent capitalize on a two-man advantage in the third period. Saturday night in the Oilers home opener, in front of 7,667 at the BOK Center, a 5-on-3 power play goal proved to be the difference in Allen's 3-2 win over Tulsa.
The Oilers (0-2-1) struck first when newly acquired forward Tomas Klempa rocketed a wrist shot past Americans' goalie Bryan Pitton at 16:29 of the opening period. It was Klempa's first goal of the season and first goal as an Oiler. Near the end of the opening period, Oilers right wing Ryan Menei collided with Americans forward Spencer Asuchuk and suffered a left knee injury. Menei, the Oilers leading scorer from a year ago, skated one shift in the second period and was sidelined for the remainder of the contest.
Less than five minutes into the second period, Oilers forward Drew Fisher was stuffed on a wraparound attempt but the rebound was buried by rookie defenseman, Andrew Himelson. The goal, Himelson's first as a professional, gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead. The Americans offense was sparked by a power play midway through the second. Darryl Bootland recorded his fourth goal in as many games and put the visitors on the board when he tapped a loose puck past Tulsa netminder Shane Madolora. The Allen power play, ranked first in the CHL coming into the night, cashed in again six minutes later with John Snowden finishing off a nifty pass from Alex Lavoie.
With the score knotted at 2-2 in the third, Oilers defensemen Craig Cescon and Nathan Lutz were called for interference and tripping in the span of just ten seconds. The infractions gave the Americans a lengthy two-man advantage and they made the most of their opportunity. Kale Kerbashian sent a perfect pass across the Oilers crease and Lavoie rifled the puck past Madolora to put Allen in front for good.
Allen (3-0-1) outshot Tulsa 41-33 and went 3-for-6 on its power plays. The Oilers finished 0-for-4 on the man advantage after notching power play goals in each of their first two games.
Tulsa and Allen face off again on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. at the BOK Center.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2013
- Chill Earn First Franchise Win in Shootout - St. Charles Chill
- Mallards Fall in Shootout - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers End Weekend with 3-2 Loss to Allen - Tulsa Oilers
- Missouri's Man Advantage Seals Sundogs' 4-1 Loss - Arizona Sundogs
- Mavericks Take 4-1 Victory in Arizona - Kansas City Mavericks
- Americans' Two-Man Advantage Dooms Oilers' Home Opener - Tulsa Oilers
- Denver Sweeps Wichita in Overtime - Denver Cutthroats
- Chill Overcomes 5-0 Deficit But Fall to Mallards - St. Charles Chill
- Thunder Drops Overtime Tilt 6-5 in Denver - Wichita Thunder
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