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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Outmatched in 7-2 Loss to Sundogs

March 5, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers let a crucial victory get away from them as the Arizona Sundogs rallied and eventually took total control to win 7-2 Tuesday night at the BOK Center. It was the Oilers worst loss at home since an 8-3 setback against Bloomington on December 8.

Zack Firlotte opened the scoring for Arizona as he tipped a puck that trickled above Shane Madolora 2 minutes and 13 seconds into the contest. Oilers forward Justin Fox got his second goal of the season off a pass from Ryan Menei to knot the score with 12:20 left in the opening frame. Ryan Cramer sent a snapshot past Sundogs goaltender Adam Russo to give Tulsa the lead with 2:59 remaining. Fox had the assist, his fourth of the year.

Thanks to an Oilers turnover in their own zone, Arizona was able to drive home the tying goal with 11:04 left in the second stanza. Arizona newcomer Sebastien Geoffrion snuck a rebound past Madolora to make it 2-2. With just 50 seconds remaining in the period, the Sundogs took back the lead on a powerplay as Matt McCready drove hard to the Tulsa net and lifted a nifty chip shot over the shoulder of Madolora.

The third period was dominated by Arizona. Jason Morgan tapped in a rebound to make it 4-2 in favor of the Sundogs five minutes into the final frame. Kevin Baker, newly signed from Evansville of the ECHL, secured his first goal as a Sundog to add to the pain for Tulsa with 12:05 remaining. Jeff Kyrzakos tipped in Firlotte's point shot at 10:47 to swell the Sundogs lead to four goals. Baker added his second goal of the night to vault the lead to 7-2 with 1:24 left. Baker finished with two assists to go along with his two goals.

Oilers goaltender Madolora had a strong game, with 33 saves, but was overwhelmed by the Sundogs onslaught as the game slipped out of control. Tulsa only managed 19 shots on net.

Tulsa forward Michel Beausoleil appeared in his 700th professional game while Oilers assistant coach, Gordon Bell, traded in his suit for a pair of skates and played in his first pro game since suffering a serious injury on October 30, 2011.

Tulsa drops to 20-33-4 on the year and Arizona improves to 26-26-5. With nine games left for the Oilers in the regular season, they are now 12 points back of the final playoff spot.

The season series between the two teams is even at 3-3 with the seventh and final game set for 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night at the BOK Center.

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