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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Weekly News and Notes

December 3, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


Weekend Recap: The Oilers went 2-1-0 last weekend with a pair of victories on home ice over Allen and Arizona and a loss on the road to Fort Worth.

Friday at the BOK Center, Tulsa fell behind 3-0 to the Americans but fought back with four unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead late in the second period. It was the first time in five meetings that the Oilers held a lead against the Americans. Scotty Howes' third goal of the night tied the game at 4-4 but the Oilers had the last laugh. Ben Gordon tipped in the game-winning goal at 10:40 of the third period and the Oilers held on for an impressive comeback victory. Mike Garman made his debut in the Oilers net and turned aside 32 shots as Tulsa snapped a five-game losing streak and defeated the Americans for the first time in five tries.

The Oilers came back down to earth on Saturday night inside the cavernous Fort Worth Convention Center. David Alexandre Beauregard's third goal of the season gave Tulsa an early lead, but that was all the offense the Oilers could muster. Behind 17 saves from Kristofer Westblom, the Brahmas shut down the Oilers who failed to record a double-digit shot total in any period. Fort Worth scored five unanswered goals and sent the Oilers home with a 5-1 defeat. Tulsa fell to 2-3-0 against the Brahmas this season.

In need of a rebound on Sunday afternoon, the Oilers went back and forth with the Arizona Sundogs through two entertaining periods. Arizona started the scoring and the two sides traded goals until Michel Beausoleil broke a 3-3 tie midway through the third period. The veteran right wing was stopped by Sundogs' goalie Adam Russo on his initial offering but he buried his second attempt to give Tulsa its first lead of the game. With a 35 save performance, Garman picked up his second win in as many starts. The Oilers netminder made six key stops in the third period to preserve a 4-3 Tulsa win.

Rammer Reaches Milestone: Sunday's 4-3 triumph over Arizona was Bruce Ramsay's 100th win as Oilers Head Coach. In his fourth season behind the Tulsa bench, Ramsay has a record of 100-90-23. The 43-year old is just three wins shy of 300 for his coaching career and has posted eight winning seasons in nine years as a head coach.

Just Wing It: Over the last five games, top-line wingers Ryan Menei and Ben Gordon have been the most consistent point producers on the Oilers roster. Menei, a sixth-year pro out of Winnipeg, has at least one point in six of his last seven outings. The 26-year old, second on the team with 20 points, has recorded four goals and three assists in his last five games. Gordon, tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals, has posted three goals and four assists in the last five contests. The International Falls, Minnesota native is also tied for the team lead with 21 points.

Climbing The Chart: Three Oilers forwards are in the top ten in the CHL in goal scoring. Center Gary Steffes is second in the league with 12 tallies on the season and trails league leader Scotty Howes of Allen by just one goal. Ben Gordon, a left wing in his first season in Tulsa, is tied for third in the CHL with 11 goals while right wing Michel Beausoleil is in a three-way tie for eighth with 10 goals to his credit. Bloomington is the only other team in the league that can boast three players in the top ten in goals scored.

Offense Up, Defense Down: Despite only posting one goal in Saturday's loss to Fort Worth, the Oilers have still managed 18 goals in their last five games for an average of 3.6 goals per contest. Defensively, Tulsa has allowed three or more goals in five straight games. The Oilers are surrendering 3.7 goals per game and have given up more goals than any other team in the CHL.

Garman Returns For Second Tour in Tulsa: After suiting up for the Oilers in nine games last season, goaltender Mike Garman is back in a Tulsa uniform. In his first appearance of the season on Friday night, the 25-year old turned aside 32 shots in a 5-4 victory over Allen. It was the fifth win of Garman's pro career and his second as a member of the Oilers. Garman made eight saves on nine shots during the third period of Saturday's 5-1 loss in Fort Worth and followed up with 35 stops in Sunday's 4-3 win over Arizona. The Vail, Colorado native is a product of Cornell University and spent the second half of last season playing in Norway.

Upcoming Games: The Oilers are preparing for four games this week, two at home and two on the road.

Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:05 p.m. - vs. Missouri Mavericks

- Second meeting of the season against the Mavs, the Oilers earned a 3-2 decision at the BOK on November 11.

Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:05 p.m. - at Wichita Thunder

- The Oilers are 1-1-0 this season against Wichita, both games were played on the opening weekend of the season

Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:35 p.m. - vs. Bloomington Blaze

- The Oilers are 0-1-1 against the Blaze and suffered a 6-5 overtime loss in the last meeting on November 23.

- The Oilers will hold their annual Teddy Bear Toss, all fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice after the Oilers score their first goal of the game. All animals will be collected and donated to the Salvation Army.

Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4:05 p.m. - at Fort Worth Brahmas

- This is the Oilers fourth visit to Fort Worth where they have a 1-2-0 record against the Brahmas

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