ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Host Americans Tonight: Game Preview

Published on February 20, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

The Oilers and Americans get together for the 12th time during this 2015-16 campaign. Tulsa is 6-5-0-0 against Allen, a team they've been chasing the coat tails of all season. In their last meetings back in January, the two split four- each having victory at home. The Oilers have gone 4-2 against Allen at home and will have the advantage as the next three of four matchups will be in the BOK Center.

PLAYOFF WATCH

The Oilers are currently ranked 6th in the Western Conference (13th Overall), a spot that puts them in playoff position if the season ended today. Of the next two teams Tulsa faces, both of them hold a spot above the Oilers. Tonight and tomorrow the Oilers will host the Allen Americans who sit 4th in the Western Conference and are just four points ahead of Tulsa. Even closer to the Oilers are the Idaho Steelheads who are 5th and two points above. The Steelheads will play the Wichita Thunder this weekend before heading to Tulsa for a Tuesday night duel.

JUSSI AND JIRI

Last week, the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League re-assigned goaltender Jussi Olkinuora to the Oilers. Olkinuora played a total of 222 minutes in Manitoba for a 5.13 goals against average. The 25 year-old from Helsinki, Finland began the 2015-16 campaign in Tulsa where he was between the pipes for seven games and earned a record of 2-3-2 with a 2.80 goals against average. Since his return, Olkinoura has been back in net for the Oilers for two contests and has registered both as wins. He currently holds a 2.51 goals against average with Tulsa.

Yesterday, the Oilers announced that forward Jiri Fronk was assigned to the Oilers from the Moose. The Czech Republic native comes to Tulsa having skated in 21 games with Manitoba--recording seven points (6 goals and 1 assist). Fronk, 22, spent the 2014-15 campaign in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRides where the forward produced 50 points (29 goals and 21 assists) in 60 games played. In his Oilers debut last night, Fronk inked an assist on a Dan DeSalvo goal.

RED HOT AT HOME

The Oilers power play may be 28th in the ECHL on the road, but at home they rank 6th with a 20.5 percentage. Tulsa has capitalized on 16 of 78 opportunities this season. Last night was the Oilers' first game all season without a powerplay.

EXTRA DROPS

Kevin Carr is 4th among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.11 goals against average and third in minutes (2188)... Phil Brewer is tied for first in rookie shootout goals with two... Dan DeSalvo is fourth among rookie leaders with 43 points, third in assists with 30 and first in plus/minus with 18...Dennis Brown is 7th among defensemen with 30 points and 3rd in assists with 25... Oilers are fourth in shots against averaging 27.78...

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

Tulsa Oilers VS Allen Americans 7:05 p.m.

Watch on ECHL-TV

Listen on Ustream

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

6-5-0-0

All-time: 24-36-5

TEAM CAPSULES

Tulsa Oilers

Overall: 26-18-3-2 (57 points)

Home: 17-7-3-1

Road: 9-11-0-1

Rank: 3rd in Central Division

Allen Americans

Overall: 29-19-2-1 (61 points)

Home: 14-6-2-1

Road: 15-13-0-0

Rank: 2nd in Central Division

OILERS LEADERS

Goals: Adam Pleskach - 18

Assists: Dan DeSalvo - 30

Points: Dan DeSalvo - 43

+/-: Dennis Brown +20

PIM: Mathieu Gagnon - 113

AMERICANS LEADERS

Goals: Chad Costello - 19

Assists: Chad Costello - 50

Points: Chad Costello - 69

+/-: Mike Gunn, +9

PIM: Dyson Stevenson - 87

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 20, 2016


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