Gordon's Five-Point Night Pushes Oilers Past Beast
December 12, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
BRAMPTON, ON - Ben Gordon scored three goals in just over three minutes in the first period and assisted on two other goals to lift the Tulsa Oilers to a 6-4 triumph over the Brampton Beast on Thursday evening at the Powerade Centre. The Oilers, making their first ever appearance in Canada, won their fourth straight contest and improved to 2-0-0 this season against the Beast.
After Andrew Fournier gave the Beast an early 1-0 advantage at the 7:02 mark of the first period, Gordon started putting on his own one-man show. The 28-year old winger chipped a pass from Ryan Menei over the shoulder of Kristofer Westbloom for his first tally of the night at 9:59 to even the score at 1-1. Two and a half minutes later, Gordon scooped up a drop pass from Menei and flung a wrist shot inside the far post to give the Oilers their first lead of the contest. Gordon had to wait only 35 seconds to complete his natural hat-trick. He picked up a loose puck in front of the Brampton crease and waited until Westblom went down to hoist a backhand into the yawning cage. Gordon recorded three goals in three minutes on three shots for his first multi-goal game as an Oiler. Westblom was lifted from the game in favor of Grant Rollheiser and Tulsa carried a 3-1 lead into the second period.
The visitors kept pouring on the offense early in the middle frame with goals in the opening five minutes from Kyle Bochek and Adam Pleskach. The resilient Beast squad battled back, answering back with tallies from Tylor Michel and Calin Wild to cut the Oilers lead to 5-3 entering the third.
Brampton pulled back within one thanks to a 5-on-3 power play goal at 6:55 of the final frame. Michel netted his second of the game when he rifled a rebound over a sprawling Shane Madolora. Over the final 13 minutes, the Oilers defense stiffened and killed off a late penalty to survive the Brampton comeback attempt. Todd Robinson sealed the win for Tulsa with an empty net goal at 19:53.
Tulsa, which won only eight road games last season, notched its seventh road victory of the season and jumped over Missouri into sole possession of second place in the CHL standings.
Ryan Menei finished the night with four assists and has chipped in 11 assists in his last five games. Kyle Bochek assembled a three-point effort with a goal and two assists as the Oilers second line trio of Gordon, Menei, and Bochek combined for 12 of Tulsa's 15 points.
The Oilers will meet the Beast for game two of their three-game series at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on Friday night.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2013
- Gordon's Five-Point Night Pushes Oilers Past Beast - Tulsa Oilers
- CHL Suspends Missouri's Colt King - CHL
- Colt King Suspended Seven Games - Kansas City Mavericks
- Americans Announce Knight Furniture as Official Ticket Outlet - Allen Americans
- Moss Leads Chill to 3-1 Win - St. Charles Chill
- Cutthroats Lose Rubber Match against Chill - Denver Cutthroats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
