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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers End Phenomenal February by Blanking Thunder

February 28, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


WICHITA, KS - Shane Madolora turned aside 25 shots for his second shutout in the last three games to lead the Tulsa Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the Wichita Thunder in front of 5,555 at INTRUST Bank Arena on Friday night. The Oilers, winners of five straight road games and four in a row overall, concluded the month of February with a 9-1-0 record and improved to 6-2-1 against the rival Thunder.

Hustle through the neutral zone earned Oilers winger Ryan Menei a first period breakaway but his progress to the net was impeded by Wichita defenseman Garrett Gruenke. Referee Boone Bruggman immediately awarded Menei a penalty shot and the seventh-year pro made the most of his opportunity. After hesitating and head-faking his way toward Thunder goalie Taylor Nelson, Menei snapped the puck past Nelson's glove to give Tulsa a 1-0 advantage. Menei's 10th of the season was also the Oilers first penalty shot goal of the season.

Clinging to their one-goal edge in the second, Ben Gordon's second effort paid off in his 35th tally of the season. Tulsa's red-hot center had his initial shot blocked by R.G. Flath but zipped the rebound past Nelson to provide his side with a two-goal cushion. Gordon extended his goal-scoring streak to six games and finished February with 22 points (14 goals, 8 assists).

Wichita's best chance to get back into the game occurred early in the final frame with 30 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage. Thanks to some help from blocked shots and stout defense in front of him, Madolora was able to hold off the Thunder attack. The Oilers successfully eliminated all five Wichita power plays on the evening. A late 6-on-4 advantage for the home team was quickly snuffed out by an empty net goal from Michel Beausoleil that sealed the victory for Tulsa.

The Oilers are 4-0-0 in Wichita this season and are now nine points in front of the Thunder in the ever-tightening CHL playoff race. For the first time in ten games, the Oilers outshot their opponent, firing 35 shots on goal to 25 for the Thunder.

Tulsa will aim for its sixth straight road win in St. Charles on Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. in the fourth meeting of the season with the Chill.

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