ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Begin Florida Swing with Shootout Win over Everblades

January 15, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


ESTERO, FL - In their first visit to the Sunshine State in franchise history, the Tulsa Oilers outlasted the Florida Everblades in a wildly entertaining 6-5 shootout victory in front of 4,161 at Germain Arena. Tulsa forward Adam Pleskach posted a pair of goals and the Oilers were able to survive a hat-trick from Florida's Chris Kushneriuk to earn their fifth shootout triumph of the season.

Pleskach started the scoring at 9:44 of the opening period after he gloved down a clearing attempt from Florida goalie Allen York. With York scrambling to get back in his net, Pleskach jammed the puck across the goal line to give Tulsa the early 1-0 edge. At the 12:00 mark, Oilers defenseman Scott Macaulay fired a shot into traffic in front of the Everblades' crease and rookie Jeff Jubinville punched home the rebound for his 13th goal of the season. Kushneriuk's first strike of the contest came at 13:15 of the first period and Tulsa settled for a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes of play. For only the fourth time all season, Florida trailed heading into the second period.

Oilers center Jon Booras forced a turnover inside the Florida blue line at 8:26 of the middle frame and whipped the puck to Pleskach who snapped a shot through York for a 3-1 lead. Alex Lavoie cut the Oilers' lead to a single goal when he batted his own rebound out of air and past the glove of Kevin Carr at 14:05. Kyle Bochek, re-signed by the Oilers on Monday, assisted on Tommy Mele's one-timer at 15:38 to give the visitors a 4-2 advantage. The momentum swung back to the Everblades just 20 seconds later as Kushneriuk tipped a shot through the legs of Carr and narrowed the deficit to a single goal.

A heavy slap shot by Florida defenseman Mike Little evened the contest at 4-4 just over five minutes in the third period. After weathering a barrage of shots and sustained pressure from the Everblades, the Oilers orchestrated a pinpoint passing play that concluded with Dave Pszenyczny's sixth goal of the season. Tulsa's 5-4 lead lasted only 1:19 thanks to more production from Kushneriuk. Mike Aviani drew a crowd as he walked off the boards toward the Oilers' net and Kushneriuk found himself wide open on top of the Tulsa crease for the game-tying goal.

Oilers defenseman Jake Obermeyer was called for slashing in overtime but the Everblades were unable to convert the 4-on-3 power play into a game-winning goal. Drew Fisher misfired on a shorthanded breakaway attempt for Tulsa and the contest remained deadlocked at 5-5 through 65 minutes of hockey.

Jon Booras, who was 0-for-5 in shootout attempts coming into the game, was the only Oiler to put a puck past York and Carr did the rest. The rookie netminder shut down all five Florida attempts to give the Oilers the extra point. The Everblades suffered just their fourth defeat of the season on home ice while the Oilers extended their point streak to four games.

Tulsa is 5-1-1 in the month of January and moved into a tie for second place in the Central Division with 42 points.

The Oilers and Everblades face off again at 7:30 p.m. (EST) on Friday evening.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 15, 2015


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