ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Fire 55 Shots But Fall to Rush 4-2

February 7, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers unleashed a steady stream of shots on Saturday night but were foiled at nearly every turn by Rapid City Rush goalie, Danny Battochio. Despite 55 shots on goal, their second-highest total of the season, the Oilers suffered a 4-2 loss to the Rush in front of 8,255 on TD Williamson "Pink In The Rink Night" at the BOK Center. Tulsa faltered against Rapid City for the second time in three days and dropped to 4-5-1 in the season series with the Rush.

Rapid City opened the scoring just over two minutes into the first period as Jesse Schultz found himself open in front of the Tulsa net and buried a centering feed from Johan Ryd. Schultz, the top scorer on the Rush roster, notched his 20th goal of the season and his fifth goal against the Oilers. After a sluggish start, the Oilers applied consistent pressure throughout the second half of the opening frame but failed to solve Battochio on 18 shot attempts.

At 5:13 of the second period, Rush forward Daniel Barczuk was whistled for delay of game and the Oilers were able to capitalize on the ensuing power play. A one-timer from Jeff Jubinville made its way past Battochio to even the contest at 1-1. Drew Fisher and Dave Pszenyczny assisted on the goal to run their individual point streaks to six games and five games respectively. On Thursday night, the Rush used a stretch of three goals in just over three minutes to secure a comeback victory and enjoyed a similar span in Saturday's second period by posting three goals in just over four minutes. At 10:25 Mathieu Brisebois pasted a power play slap shot off the post and into the net to give Rapid City a 2-1 edge. Cody Ferriero finished off a 2-on-1 by ripping a shot over sprawling Tulsa goalie Kevin Carr at 12:22 to provide the Rush with a two-goal cushion. At 14:41 Brisebois struck again, this time with a power play wrist shot that sailed over the blocker of Carr and into the upper corner. Rapid City managed three goals on just eight second period shots and carried a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.

A 21-4 shot advantage over the course of the third period did little to help the Oilers cause. Tommy Mele deflected a point shot past Battochio at 9:04 of the final frame but the Oilers would do no further damage. Battochio's 53-save performance gave Rapid City its fourth straight victory and third win in three nights.

Both sides finished the evening 2-for-6 on the power play and the Oilers have now allowed a power play goal in eight of their last ten games. The Oilers lead over the Rush for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division has been whittled down to a single point. Tulsa has dropped five of the seven meetings between the two clubs at the BOK Center and dipped back to .500 overall at 21-21-1-3.

The Oilers are back in action Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. for their fourth visit of the season to the Independence Events Center to take on the Missouri Mavericks.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 7, 2015


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