Oilers Snap Skid with Comeback Victory over Americans
December 1, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - Down by three goals in the second period to the top team in the CHL, the outlook seemed extremely bleak for the Tulsa Oilers on Friday night at the BOK Center. In serious danger of losing to the Allen Americans for a fifth straight time, the Oilers fought back to post an improbable 5-4 victory and snap their season-long five-game losing streak.
After Scotty Howes powerplay goal put Allen up 3-0 at 1:13 of the second frame, Ryan Menei provided a much needed spark for the Tulsa offense. Menei, who extended his point streak to five games, whistled a wrist shot past the blocker of Steve Silverthorn at 4:54 to put the Oilers on the board. The comeback had begun.
Four minutes later, off an offensive zone face off, Oilers center Gary Steffes muscled his way to the Allen net and tucked the puck under the crossbar to pull the home team back within one. Defenseman Sean Erickson scored his first goal of the season and knotted the game at 3-3 when he blasted a slap shot past Silverthorn at 15:45. Less than two minutes ticked off the clock before the puck was back in the Allen net. Drew Fisher beat Silverthorn from the left wing side at 17:43 and for the first time in five meetings, the Oilers had a lead on the Americans. Howes tied the game at 4-4 with just 13 seconds remaining in the period to momentarily stall the Oilers momentum and set up a tense third period. Howes was a one-man wrecking crew for the Americans and finished the night with three goals, one assist, and nine shots on goal.
The Oilers weathered an early third period storm when they were forced to kill off a 4-on-3 Allen powerplay. The game remained even until the 10:40 mark when Kyle Mariani's shot was redirected into the net by the quick stick of Ben Gordon. Tulsa was back in front on Gordon's tenth tally of the season. With Silverthorn on the bench and Gio Flamminio in the penalty box, the Oilers had to survive a 6-on-4 Americans advantage. The Oilers didn't allow a single Allen shot in the final 60 seconds and held on to secure the win.
Tulsa goalie Mike Garman, who played nine games in a Tulsa jersey last season, was re-signed by the team less than 24 hours before the game. The 25-year old shook off the early Allen goals and ended the evening with 32 saves on 36 shots.
Ten players earned at least one point for the Oilers who improved to 7-9-2 on the season and 4-3-2 on home ice.
Tulsa travels to Fort Worth on Saturday evening for the fifth matchup of the season with the Brahmas. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
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Central Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2012
- Arizona Dominates Third Period, 4-2 Win - Arizona Sundogs
- Patterson Shuts out Thunder in 2-0 Final - Denver Cutthroats
- Blaze Fall to Rush in Back-And-Forth Affair - Bloomington Blaze
- Thunder Win Streak Stopped at Five Games in Denver - Wichita Thunder
- Brahmas Top Oilers, Win Third Straight - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Oilers Shut Down by Brahmas in 5-1 Loss - Tulsa Oilers
- Mavericks Bounce Back in 3-1 Win over Quad City - Kansas City Mavericks
- Turnbull, Mavericks Slip Past Mallards 3-1 - Quad City Mallards
- Bloomington Blanks Rush for First Time this Season - Rapid City Rush
- Wichita Powers Past Cutthroats with 5-3 Win - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Snap Skid with Comeback Victory over Americans - Tulsa Oilers
- Thunder Pull Away in Third to Beat Cutthroats, 5-3 - Denver Cutthroats
- Sundogs Shutout by Brahmas, 3-0 - Arizona Sundogs
- Blaze Record Second Shutout - Bloomington Blaze
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