CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Off to Franchise-Best 10-1-0 Start

Published on November 11, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK- The Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League are off to a 10-1-0 start, the best in franchise history, after winning three games in three days this last weekend on the road. Their CHL-high 20 points is good enough for an 11-point lead on second-place Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division standings.

The road trip got off to an exciting night on Friday in Wichita, as the Oilers defeated the Thunder 4-3 at the Kansas Coliseum. Tulsa trailed 3-2 at the end of two periods, but got two third-period goals, including the game-winner from defenseman Mike Mohr with 15 seconds remaining, to get the victory.

Immediately following the game, the Oilers jumped on the bus and headed to Amarillo for a Saturday night game with the Gorillas. Tulsa would improve their record to 9-1-0 as they defeated Amarillo 2-0. Goaltender Rod Branch continued his impressive play, stopping all 39 shots he faced en route to his third shutout of the season. Forward Todd Marcellus scored both Tulsa goals, the last one an empty-netter to ice the game with eight seconds remaining.

Once again, the Oilers would take to the road immediately following a tough victory. This time, they would travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a game against the Scorpions yesterday afternoon. The Oilers showed no signs of fatigue, as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two periods behind goals from Jamie Steer, Doug Pirnak and Justin Ossachuk. The Scorpions made a game of it in the third period, scoring twice to pull them to within one, but the Oilers would hold on to the win, improving their record to 10-1-0.

The Oilers have had several standouts during this great start to the season. Among them is newcomer Marcellus. All he has done is lead the Oilers in scoring with 17 points on six goals and 11 assists. Those 17 points also tie him for first in the CHL with two other players.

Branch also ranks highly among other CHL goalies. The CHL Goaltender of the Month for October ranks first with 10 victories, first with three shutouts, second with a goal against average of 1.38, second with 610 minutes played, and he is tied for first with 316 saves.

The Oilers will get a few much-needed days off before hosting two games this weekend. On Friday night, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (6-4-2) come to town. Tulsa's only loss of the season came on Halloween night in Bossier-Shreveport as they fell 5-3 to the Mudbugs.

On Saturday night, intra-state rivals, the Oklahoma City Blazers (4-4-1) come to town for a Northwest Division clash. Tulsa leads the season series with the Blazers 2-0-0, having defeated them 4-1 in Oklahoma City on October 19th, and 5-1 in Tulsa on November 2nd.

Tickets for this weekend's games are available at local Drug Marts, the Tulsa Convention Center Box office, the Oilers office, or by phone at 584-2000.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 11, 2002


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