Oilers Defeat Heartlanders as Route 66 Blue Whales in Front of 13273
ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Defeat Heartlanders as Route 66 Blue Whales in Front of 13273

Published on January 3, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, Okla. - The Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and the AHL's San Diego Gulls, and powered by Community Care, topped the Iowa Heartlanders 3-2 as the Blue Whales on Saturday night at the BOK Center.

Vyacheslav Buteyets turned aside 15 Iowa shots and William Rossaeu made 8 stops against the Blue Whales in a scoreless first period.

Tyler Poulsen opened the scoring 24 seconds into the middle frame, finishing off a two-on-zero feed from Tyrell Goulbourne to place Route 66 up 1-0. Josh Nelson followed up just 44 seconds later, sliding an Adam McMaster administered puck through Rosseau's five hole, extending the Blue Whales lead to 2-0. Matthew Sop cut the lead to 2-1, scoring his ninth of the season at the 4:42 mark of the second period. Poulsen restored the Blue Whales' lead to two, scoring his second of the frame by slamming a seam pass from Jaxsen Wiebe with one second remaining on a power play at the 8:07 mark of the frame. Cameron Butler closed the scoring 3-2 with 1:27 left in the second period, tallying his second goal in as many nights.

Both teams recorded seven shots in the third period and each team had a power-play chance in the final three minutes, but the Blue Whales exited the frame with their 3-2 victory intact.

The Oilers host the Kansas City Mavericks at the BOK Center for the third time this season Sunday, Jan. 4 at 3:05 p.m.

Oilers Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the Oilers front office at 918-632-PUCK (7825) or visit www.tulsaoilers.com for more information.

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ECHL Stories from January 3, 2026


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