Oilers Complete Weekend Sweep with 4-3 Win over Arizona
December 8, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers held off a fiery Arizona Sundogs squad for a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at the BOK Center. The Oilers (13-9-1) won for the third time in three days and completed a clean sweep of the weekend's games to move into sole possession of second place in the CHL standings.
The Sundogs, enterting the contest on a four-game losing skid, came out energized in the first period and took an early lead just four minutes into the game. After a flurry of chances in front of the Oilers net, Bryan Cameron's slap shot found its way past Tulsa goalie Shane Madolora to give the visitors a 1-0 edge. The Oilers answered at the 11:40 mark of the opening period thanks to Blair Macaulay's quick stick on top of the Arizona crease. On the power play, Ryan Menei snapped a wrist shot off the glove of Sundogs' goalie Andrew Engelage and Drew Fisher sent a bouncing pass out front to Macaulay. The rookie forward swatted the puck past Engelage for his fifth goal of the season.
Only 15 seconds into the second period, the Oilers took their first lead of the night. Alexandre Beauregard, playing the role of the tenth forward, received a pass on the tape from Blair Macaulay which he promptly chipped past Engelage. Beauregard's second goal of the year gave the Oilers a 2-1 advantage and Tulsa carried the one-goal lead into the third period.
Cameron netted his second goal of the night at 3:18 of the third to even the score at 2-2 but Drew Fisher pushed the Oilers back in front at 13:36. Adam Pleskach grabbed the puck in the corner and threaded a pass to a cutting Fisher who lifted a shot over the blocker of Engelage. With just over two minutes remaining, defenseman Jake Obermeyer found an opening in the middle of the Sundogs zone and zipped a snap shot underneath the crossbar to give the Oilers a 4-2 lead. Arizona, refusing to go quietly, responded in just 30 seconds as Travis Oullette re-directed a shot through the pads of Madolora to bring the Sundogs back within one goal. Through several starts, stops, and face-offs in the final 90 seconds, the Oilers clamped down defensively to stave off the Sundogs comeback bid and preserve the win.
The game was plagued by infractions as the two sides were each assessed 51 penalty minutes and combined for six misconducts. The Oilers began the night as the CHL's worst penalty killing team but fought off all six Arizona power plays and went 1-for-6 on their man-advantage opportunities. Blair Macaulay and Drew Fisher each chipped in a goal and two assists to lead the Oilers offensive effort while Cameron finished with a +2 rating to go along with his two goals.
Tulsa swept a three-in-three series for the second time this season and has won 13 of its last 17 games.
This week, the Oilers embark on their longest road trip of the season when they head to Brampton, Ontario for a stretch of three games in four days against the Beast.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2013
- Oilers Complete Weekend Sweep with 4-3 Win over Arizona - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs Drop Fifth Straight - Arizona Sundogs
- Late Nagy Shorthanded Goal Gives Mallards Come from Behind Win - Quad City Mallards
- Streak Snapped in 4-1 Loss to Oilers - Wichita Thunder
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