Mallards Strike Twice in Third to Hand Oilers Another Loss
Published on January 31, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
MOLINE, IL - A pair of third period goals pushed the Quad City Mallards past the Tulsa Oilers in a 2-1 decision at the i wireless center on Friday night. The Oilers, who carried a 1-0 lead into the third period, suffered their third straight regulation loss and are winless in their last six contests.
After a scoreless first period, Tulsa took advantage of the game's first power play early in the middle frame. A stretch pass from Ryan Menei connected with Adam Pleskach and the Oilers rookie moved in all alone on Mallards' goalie Thomas Heemskerk. Pleskach pulled the puck to his forehand and roofed the shot to give the Oilers a 1-0 edge just 1:47 into the second period. The goal pushed Pleskach into the team lead with 25 tallies this season and Tulsa maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the period.
Oilers' goalie Brad Fogal, making just his second appearance of the season in the Tulsa net, made a string of spectacular stops but was finally beaten by a Jeff Lee wrist shot at the 2:37 mark of the third period. Lee's 13th goal of the season knotted the contest at 1-1. Fogal remained in top form until Vladimir Nikiforov's snapper from the wing found its way into the net with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Despite a frantic effort from the Oilers to find the equalizer, Heemskerk shut the door and preserved the precious two points for Quad City.
Tulsa, which fell to 13-3-1 when leading after two periods this season, has lost five straight games in Quad City dating back to last season. The Oilers (19-22-3) are three games below .500 for the first time since early November and have ended up on the wrong side in eight of their last nine road games.
Fogal, who turned in a 36-save performance, dropped to 0-2-0 as an Oiler while Heemskerk, who just returned from his AHL call-up to the Worcester Sharks and stopped 27 of the 28 Tulsa shots, improved to 10-1-4 between the pipes for the Mallards.
The Oilers return home on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. to host the Denver Cutthroats.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2014
- Record Crowd Sees First Hat Trick in 6-3 Win - St. Charles Chill
- Mavericks Dropped by Denver - Kansas City Mavericks
- Cutthroats Break Losing Streak - Denver Cutthroats
- Mallards Strike Twice in Third to Hand Oilers Another Loss - Tulsa Oilers
- Mallards Rally Past Tulsa - Quad City Mallards
- Oilers Partner with Safelite Auto Glass to Help Community Food Bank - Tulsa Oilers
- Allen Americans Take Over Top Spot on Sher-Wood CHL Power Rankings - CHL
- Americans Face the Thunder Tonight on the Road - Allen Americans
- Shots from the Point for January 31, 2014 - CHL
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