Fox's Goal Lifts Brahmas over Oilers in Overtime
February 16, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
TULSA, Oklahoma - Phil Fox's game-winning goal two minutes into overtime gave the Brahmas (30-16-5) a 4-3 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Saturday night, extending the team's road win streak to seven games.
The Brahmas held a 1-0 lead after one period of play as Sy Nutkevitch scored at 6:12 on Fort Worth's second power play of the game. Tomas Klempa recovered a rebound off of Greg Eskedjian's wrister from the high slot and fed Nutkevitch across the ice for a one-timer slapshot.
Fort Worth extended its lead to 2-0 at4:58 of the second period when Austin Mayer fired a wrister past Tulsa netminder Shane Madolora. For the rookie, it was his seventh goal of the season and third in the last three games.
Tulsa evened the score with two quick goals before the halfway point of the middle frame. Justin Fox, who attended the Brahmas' training camp in October, found the back of the net at 7:20 on a back-handed shot off of Ryan Cramer's feed. Ryan Menei scored his team-leading 28th goal at 9:43 to tie the game.
The Brahmas regained their one-goal lead before the end of the second period as Phil Fox scored the team's second power-play goal of the night at the 12:30 mark. For Fox, who was activated from the injured reserve Friday after missing a month and a half, it was his 17th goal of the season.
After a disallowed goal in the early moments of the third period denied Fort Worth of extending its lead, Oilers defenseman Jeff Buvinow evened the score at three goals apiece at 5:37. Buvinow's goal was the only power-play conversion of the night for Tulsa and the only score for either team in the final frame.
Exactly two minutes into overtime, the Brahmas took advantage of another opportunity set up from an Eskedjian slapshot. Phil Fox deflected the puck in front of Madolora, redirecting it into the back of the net for the game-winning goal. Fox's second of the night and 18th of the season was also his sixth game-winner of 2012-13, tying him for the league lead in that category.
Kristofer Westblom made 18 saves on 21 shots to improve to 18-5-3 this season. The Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan native's 18 wins rank second among Central Hockey League goaltenders. Madolora made 41 saves, but allowed four goals to fall to 11-10-2.
Fort Worth outshot Tulsa 45-21. The Brahmas also outplayed the Sundogs on special teams, converting on two of five power-play opportunities. For the fourth consecutive game, Fort Worth netted multiple goals on the man advantage, going 8-for-21 over that span. Tulsa went 1-for-3 on the power play.
With the win, the Brahmas have now won seven straight road games and 10 of their last 11 away from home. The team's 14 road wins are second most in the CHL. Because the Allen Americans also won Saturday night (5-3 over the Missouri Mavericks), the Brahmas remain two points out of first place. Fort Worth is the first team in the CHL to reach the 30-win mark.
Tomas Klempa extended his current point streak to six games, notching nine points (four goals, five assists) over that span. John Snowden assisted on Fox's power-play goal in the second period, extending his point streak to four games. The Everett, Washington native has picked up nine points (seven goals, two assists) in four games this week, which included his five-goal outburst Wednesday night in Arizona.
The Brahmas are back in action at the NYTEX Sports Centre Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 when they face off against the Missouri Mavericks and Allen Americans on back-to-back nights. Each game is set for 7:30pm.
For ticket information, please contact a Brahmas sales representative at 817-336-4423 or visit www.brahmas.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2013
- Americans Escape with 5-3 Victory over Mavericks - Kansas City Mavericks
- Fox's Goal Lifts Brahmas over Oilers in Overtime - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Oilers Come up Short in OT Loss to Brahmas - Tulsa Oilers
- Trimm's Five-Point Outing Highlights Thunder Victory over Cutthroats - Wichita Thunder
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- Central Hockey League Announces Suspension - CHL
- Schwab's Four-Point Night Leads Denver to 6-2 Win - Denver Cutthroats
- Denver Spoils McClelland's 500th Game Coaching - Wichita Thunder
- CHL Sebastien Thinel Becomes Member of 800-Point Club - CHL
- Goaltenders Stand Tall as Rush Clip Mallards in Shootout 3-2 - Rapid City Rush
- Brahmas Fall at Home, 4-2 to Americans - Fort Worth Brahmas
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