CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Prevail over Thunder on Pink in the Rink Night

Published on February 9, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - A full week of rest and practice paid off for the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night in a 3-1 victory over the Wichita Thunder in front of 6,828 at the BOK Center. The Oilers, wearing special pink jerseys for their sixth annual Pink In The Rink Night presented by TD Williamson and benefitting Turn Tulsa Pink, got a 28-save performance from Shane Madolora and improved to 5-2-1 against the rival Thunder this season.

Less than three minutes into the first period, a shot from Oilers winger Ryan Menei created a rebound in front of the Wichita net that was buried by Adam Pleskach to give Tulsa the early 1-0 edge. Pleskach, who leads all CHL rookies with 27 goals, extended his goal streak to four games. With an assist, Menei recorded his 400th career point and still had more to contribute. On the Oilers first power play of the night near the midway point of the period, Menei walked off the wall and sizzled a wrist shot from the face off dot that beat Thunder goalie Taylor Nelson and gave the Oilers a 2-0 cushion.

The Oilers maintained their advantage through the second period and the 2-0 score carried over into the third. Matt Robinson, Wichita's leading scorer, netted his 21st goal of the season at 3:37 of the final frame to cut Tulsa's lead in half. Unlike last time these squads clashed at the BOK Center, the Oilers would not allow a late Thunder comeback. A diving shot by Michel Beausoleil at 12:22 restored Tulsa's two-goal edge and from there, Madolora shut down the Thunder attack to preserve the victory.

The win pushes Tulsa three points ahead of Wichita in the race for the eighth and final CHL playoff spot and marks the first time in nearly a month the Oilers have tasted victory in back-to-back outings.

Tulsa finished 1-for-2 with the man-advantage and successfully killed off all three Wichita power plays. The Oilers have eliminated 14 of the last 15 opposition power plays and moved to 13-10-1 on home ice this season.

The Oilers are on the road in Rapid City for a pair of contests with the Rush on Tuesday and Wednesday night before returning home on Friday to host Arizona.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2014


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