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ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Late Power Play Strike Dooms Oilers in 5-4 Loss to Americans

December 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


ALLEN, TX - The Tulsa Oilers took a vicious punch to the gut on Saturday night in Allen. A 5-on-3 power play for the Americans in the final minute of regulation led to the game-winning goal by Chad Costello with just 21 seconds showing on the clock. The 5-4 setback pushed the Oilers losing streak to four games and further out of first place in the Central Division standings.

Less than one minute into the contest, the Oilers jumped out to an early lead. Jeff Jubinville's face off win in the Allen zone slid back to Eric Tallent who fed Kyle O'Kane in the high slot for a one-timer that sizzled past Americans netminder Riley Gill. After suffering through five scoreless periods, the Oilers held a 1-0 lead on O'Kane's tenth tally of the season. Tulsa's advantage grew to two goals at the 17:27 mark of the opening frame when a stretch pass from T.J. Caig created a breakaway for O'Kane. The third-year winger executed a gorgeous backhand deke and lifted the puck over a sprawling Gill for his second goal of the period. Allen responded with only 30 seconds left on the clock as Rylan Schwartz, playing in just his second game for the Americans, located a rebound at the side of the Tulsa net and swatted a shot past Brady Hjelle to cut the Oilers' lead in half.

Allen defenseman Aaron Gens scored at 5:22 of the second period to level the game at 2-2 but the Oilers were able to regain the lead on the fifth goal of the season by Jeff Jubinville. A shot from the point by Nathan Lutz was deflected in front of Gill and Jubinville directed the puck into the net with his backhand at 14:07. Former Oiler Gary Steffes was set up by Justin Baker at 17:27 of the second period and buried a shot past Hjelle to pull the home team even at 3-3.

A rebound off the left pad of Hjelle led to a Costello strike at 3:46 of the third and the Americans captured their first lead of the contest. Tulsa answered at 11:35 when Adam Pleskach moved in front of Gill and expertly tipped a shot from Scott Macaulay under the crossbar. Pleskach's 16th strike of the season tied the game for the third time and the two squads looked as though they were headed for overtime. With 1:48 remaining, Eric Tallent was called for hooking and just 26 seconds later, Jake Obermeyer was in the penalty box for high-sticking. After defenseman Kevin Noble and Hjelle both tried to fall on a loose puck at the side of the crease, Costello was able to locate the disc and tap it home for his fourth point of the evening. Oilers head coach Bruce Ramsay, incensed at the officials, walked off the Tulsa bench and screamed at referee Kenny Anderson until finally being escorted off the ice.

The Oilers fell to 3-5-1 against the Americans this season and 2-3-0 at the Allen Event Center. Tulsa was 0-for-3 on the power play while Allen finished 1-for-5 on the man-advantage. Hjelle made 39 saves in the loss and Gill turned aside 20 shots to earn his 13th victory of the season.

The Oilers and Americans are right back at in on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. at the BOK Center as both teams finish out weekend three-in-threes with their final game before the Christmas break.

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