Oilers Rally Past Thunder for 7-4 Victory
November 15, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
WICHITA, KS - Three days after getting blown out at home against the Wichita Thunder, the Tulsa Oilers spotted their biggest rival a 3-goal first period lead only to storm back for a 7-4 victory on Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena.
The Thunder, winless in five previous home games, jumped all over the Oilers early in the opening frame. Andrew Martens and R.G. Flath scored goals for Wichita in the span of just 1:19 and Martens added his second of the period at the 15:06 mark to give the Thunder a three-goal cushion heading into the second period.
Oilers goaltender Shane Madolora, who entered the game late in the first period in relief of starter Ross MacKinnon, steadied the Oilers with several big saves in the opening minutes of the middle frame. Tulsa finally found its offensive footing at 13:26 when Brandon Coccimiglio buried a pass from Adam Pleskach to put the visitors on the board. Less than two minutes later, Kyle Bochek poked home his second goal of the season on an Oilers power play and the Wichita advantage was cut to one. Rookie forward Nick McParland answered for the Thunder by redirecting Jesse Dudas' point blast at 17:43 but the Oilers continued to fight back. With 18 seconds to play in the period, a series of crisp power play passes from Todd Robinson to Scott Macaulay to Michel Beausoleil opened up the Wichita net and Beausoleil cashed in for his sixth of the year. The Thunder held a 4-3 edge going into the third period.
Moments after a goal from Tulsa captain Nathan Lutz was disallowed, Robinson corralled a rebound off the end boards and swatted it past Wichita goalie Taylor Nelson at 10:46 to level the game at 4-4. It only took 23 seconds for the Oilers to take their first lead of the contest. Ryan Cramer fired past the blocker of Nelson at 11:09 and the Oilers never looked back. Eric Tallent and Coccimiglio added empty net goals to seal the win for Tulsa.
The Oilers have won five out of their last six and improved to 2-1-2 away from home. Tulsa posted its highest goal total of the season and won for the first time when trailing after two periods. Adam Pleskach extended his CHL-long point streak to eight games and Coccimiglio recorded his third three-point outing of the season.
Tulsa and Wichita face off again at INTRUST Bank Arena at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night.
Central Hockey League Stories from November 15, 2013
- Mallards Blanked in Denver - Quad City Mallards
- Chill Burned by Sundogs Late - St. Charles Chill
- Oilers Rally Past Thunder for 7-4 Victory - Tulsa Oilers
- Arizona Freeze out Chill in 1-0 Shutout - Arizona Sundogs
- Heemskerk to Iowa Wild; Mallards Sign Sherwood - Quad City Mallards
- Shots from the Point for November 15, 2013 - CHL
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