Oilers Settle for Single Point in Third Straight Loss to Americans
October 30, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
ALLEN, TX - The Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit on Wednesday night in Allen only to see their comeback bid fall just short in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Americans. Despite outshooting the Americans 26-4 through the third period and overtime, all five Tulsa shootout attempts were unsuccessful and the Oilers remain winless at 0-3-2.
The Americans struck quickly in the first period when Daryl Bootland tallied his fifth goal in six games just 90 seconds into the contest. Mike Berube's slap shot found it's way past a screened Ross MacKinnon at 10:27 to push the Allen lead to 2-0. The Oilers got back into the game thanks to a tape-to-tape pass from Todd Robinson to Michel Beausoleil in front of the Allen net. Beausoleil, playing in his 276th game as an Oiler, slid a backhand through the legs of Allen goalie Bryan Pitton for his second goal of the season.
Allen recaptured a two-goal advantage in the second when Corey Tamblyn's shot fluttered over MacKinnon's shoulder at the 14:36 mark. Just three minutes later the Oilers were able to cut the deficit in half on Ben Gordon's first tally of the season. Gordon, Tulsa's second leading scorer from a year ago, picked off a pass deep in Allen territory and ripped a shot past Pitton to pull the Oilers back within one.
Early in the third period, with his team shorthanded, Ryan Cramer squeezed a wrist shot past the pad of Pitton and inside the post to level the contest at 3-3. It was Cramer's second goal of the season and the team's first shorthanded goal. Tulsa controlled the remainder of regulation and outshot Allen 19-2 over the final 20 minutes.
In overtime, the Oilers had a pair of 4-on-3 power play opportunities but again, Pitton was there to shut the door. Thomas Beauregard rang his shootout attempt off the crossbar and Pitton stopped each of the next four Oilers shooters. Tyler Ludwig was the only American able to solve MacKinnon which was just enough for Allen to escape with a narrow victory and earn the extra point.
The Oilers went 0-for-8 on the power play but posted a season high 45 shots on net and gave up just 25 shots, a new season low for shots against.
Forwards Preston Shupe and Alexandre Beauregard made their debuts for the Oilers who will return home on Friday night to host the Missouri Mavericks at 7:35 p.m.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2013
- Mavericks Beat the Chill and Take 6-1 Victory in St. Charles - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Settle for Single Point in Third Straight Loss to Americans - Tulsa Oilers
- Second Period Sends Chill to 6-1 Loss - St. Charles Chill
- Mallards $1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday Presented by 97X and Metrolink Returns - Quad City Mallards
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