CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Weekly News and Notes

Published on November 5, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


Week In Review: The Oilers dropped a pair of games on the road to the Allen Americans on Wednesday and Friday before falling at home to the Americans on Saturday night. The three-game skid pushed Tulsa below .500 (3-4-1) for the first time this season. The Oilers were outscored 16-8 over the three contests and were also outshot by Allen in every game. Tulsa's penalty kill was able to quiet the Americans powerplay in the first two meetings in Allen, but on Saturday at the BOK Center, the Americans came to life with three powerplay goals in a 6-3 victory. Saturday's setback was Tulsa first regulation home loss of the season and dropped the Oilers into a tie for fifth place in the CHL standings.

Up Next: On Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. the Oilers will meet the Rapid City Rush for the first time this season. Tulsa and Rapid City will faceoff a total of five times with two of the contests at the BOK Center and three straight games in Rapid City slated for the middle of March. In five matchups last season the Oilers were 1-3-1 overall against the Rush and 1-1-1 at home.

The Streak Rolls On: With a goal in Saturday's loss to Allen, Oilers left winger Ben Gordon extended his CHL leading point streak to eight games. The 27-year old has a point in each Tulsa game thus far and is second on the team with nine points overall (5 goals, 4 assists). Gordon, who spent last season playing in Dusseldorf, Germany, has transitioned smoothly back to North American hockey. A product of the University of Minnesota, Gordon leads the Oilers in shots on goal (30) and is tied for the team lead with three powerplay goals. Gordon had a career-high 69 points with the Reading Royals (ECHL) in 2009-10 and has 25 games of AHL experience, more than any other player on the Tulsa roster.

Steffes Stands Out: Oilers center Gary Steffes was named the Oakley CHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 28 and has also been named the CHL First Star of the Month for October. Steffes earned 15 points during the season's opening month by being named the first star of the game three times in his club's six games. Steffes had four goals and four assists and scored the Oilers game winning goal in their 4-1 win over Quad City on October 27. The Grand Blanc, Michigan native had points in five of his team's six games helping Tulsa to a 3-2-1 record in October. Arizona forward Chad Nehring finished second in the voting with 12 points while Rapid City forward Jordan Baker was awarded 10 points and ended up third.

Beausoleil Having His Way: Last season, Oilers right wing Michel Beausoleil scored 20 goals in 64 games. Eight games into the 2012-13 campaign, Beausoleil has already found the back of the net six times. The 32-year old leads Tulsa in goals and points and is tied for the team lead with three powerplay tallies. A Montreal native in his fifth season as an Oiler, Beausoleil is only one goal shy of 300 for his outstanding 12-year professional career. Beausoleil's +4 rating is tops on the Tulsa roster and he scored the Oilers only shorthanded goal of the season.

Register-ing Helpers: Oilers defenseman Matt Register has set up his teammates in nearly every game this season. Register, who played 22 games for Allen last year, leads the team with seven assists and has recorded at least one helper in six of Tulsa's eight games. The 23-year old Register finds himself third on the team in points and has been a staple on the Oilers blue line during powerplays. A Calgary, Alberta native, Register anchors the Oilers top defense pairing with four-year veteran Sean Erickson.

Upcoming Games: The Oilers are getting set for a stretch of four games in five days with a pair of road outings at Fort Worth sandwiched in between home dates against Rapid City and Missouri.

Wed. Nov. 7 at 7:05 p.m. - vs. Rapid City Rush

Fri. Nov. 9 at 7:05 p.m. - at Fort Worth Brahmas (watch party at Gusano's Pizzeria at 101st & Mingo Rd.)

Sat. Nov. 10 at7:05 p.m. - at Fort Worth Brahmas (watch party at Gusano's Pizzeria at 101st & Mingo Rd.)

Sun. Nov. 11 at 4:05 p.m. - vs. Missouri Mavericks (post-game skate with the players)

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 5, 2012


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