Menei's Monster Night Powers Oilers Past Rush
February 5, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - After a sloppy start, the Tulsa Oilers, led by a four-goal effort from Ryan Menei, surged back for a 5-2 triumph over the Rapid City Rush at the BOK Center. The victory extended the Oilers season-long winning streak to four games and marked their fifth consecutive win on home ice.
Rapid City got things underway with a shorthanded goal from Jesse Schultz, who put in his seventh goal of the season four minutes and eight seconds into the game. Eight minutes later, Winston Day Chief deflected home his second score of the season as he sent one past Shane Madolora to make it 2-0 with 7:57 left in the opening frame. The Tulsa answer came quickly. Just 13 seconds later, Menei, the reigning CHL Player of the Week, tap in the puck at the side of the Rapid City net to put the home side on the board.
The lone score of the second period came from none other than Menei. The Winnipeg native got a rebound off the boards and delivered, knotting the score at 2-2 with 16:54 left in the second stanza.
Tulsa took their first lead on the game with 11:09 left in the contest as Ben Gordon knocked in a powerplay wrister off a pass from Drew Fisher. Menei captured his second consecutive hat trick and gave the Oilers breathing room off a beautiful pass from Gordon with 3:53 remaining. Menei threw in an empty net goal with 28 seconds left to seal the Oilers second win of the season over Rapid City. The sixth-year pro now has 60 points on this year and 11 goals in his last four games.
The other half of the two-headed monster, Ben Gordon, finished with a goal and four assists, giving him 39 assists and 24 goals this season. Gordon now has 14 points in the last three games.
Madolora, who has won four straight starts, had 28 saves and moves to 8-9-1 on the season.
Tulsa is making a habit of getting outshot yet still coming out on top. The Rush had 30 shots compared to 27 for the Oilers. It marked the 10th straight game the Oilers were outshot. During that span, the Oilers have been outshot 390-277 but curiously still have a 6-4-0 record.
The Oilers improved to 3-16-2 when trailing after the first period and 16-27-3 overall this season.
The win concluded an undefeated four game homestand for the Oilers. Next, they will go on a two game road trip starting Feb. 8 in Wichita.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2013
- Tulsa's Menei & Gordon Fell Rush 5-2 - Rapid City Rush
- Brahmas Score Late, Drop Americans in Shootout - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Menei's Monster Night Powers Oilers Past Rush - Tulsa Oilers
- Mavericks Come from Behind, Edge Mallards 4-3 - Quad City Mallards
- Mavericks Come Back to Beat Mallards, 4-3 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Millan Named CHL's Goalie of the Week - Denver Cutthroats
- Denver's Kieran Millan Named Oakley CHL Goaltender of the Week - CHL
- Blaze Acquire Lutes in Trade with Denver - Bloomington Blaze
- Cutthroats Acquire Defenseman at CHL Trade Deadline - Denver Cutthroats
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