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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Weekly News and Notes

December 17, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


Week In Review: The Oilers dropped a pair of road games this week and fell to 8-16-2 for the season. Friday in Bloomington, the Oilers tied a season high for shots in a single period by firing 18 at the Blaze net in the first period. With the contest tied 1-1 after the opening twenty minutes, the Blaze came to life in the second frame and scored three goals in the first nine and a half minutes. Goals from Mike Ullrich and Ben Gordon pulled Tulsa back within one, but Kyle Bochek's wraparound tally at 8:28 of the third gave Bloomington a two-goal cushion and the Blaze went on to a 6-3 victory. Blaze forward Jared Walker recorded a hat-trick as Tulsa fell to 0-4-0 this season against Bloomington.

The Oilers made their fourth trip of the season to Wichita on Saturday and suffered a 5-2 setback to the Thunder. Halfway through the second period, Ben Gordon's 15th goal of the season gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead but the advantage didn't last long. Wichita defenseman Kevin Young scored just 47 seconds later to tie the game. The Thunder took its first lead of the night at 13:14 of the second when David Inman's slapshot deflected up and over Tulsa goalie Mike Garman and settled into the back of the net. Neil Trimm, who had a hat-trick against the Oilers in the previous meeting, added two late goals in the third to seal the victory for Wichita. Tulsa is 1-3-0 this season against the Thunder and has only one win in its last nine trips to Intrust Bank Arena.

Long Slide: Tulsa's losing streak sits at six games, the longest skid since 2010 and the second longest in the Bruce Ramsay era. The Oilers have dropped seven in a row on the road and have just two wins in their last 14 games. Over the course of the current losing streak, Tulsa has been outscored 33-15. The Oilers have been outshot in nine of their last ten outings.

Roster Moves: On Monday, the Oilers announced that they have released veteran forward David Alexandre Beauregard and goaltender Mike Garman. The 36-year old Beauregard played in every game for the Oilers and recorded four goals to go along with 12 assists. In seven appearances, Garman posted a 1-3-0 record with a 4.83 goals against average and a .874 save percentage. Defenseman Matt Register, released prior to Saturday's game in Wichita, was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Sundogs. Register had one goal and ten assists in 26 games for Tulsa.

Amesbury Drops Gloves In Debut: The Oilers signed defenseman Daniel Amesbury on Saturday and he wasted no time showing off his fighting ability. Amesbury, who was called up from the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL, went punch-for-punch with Thunder enforcer, Erik Lizon during the first period in Wichita and the two heavy-weights squared off again in the third period. In just his second professional season, the 6-1, 210 pound Amesbury has already developed a reputation as one of the toughest fighters in all of minor pro hockey. The Maple Ridge, British Columbia native began the 2011-12 season in Columbus by fighting three times in his first game and went on to lead the SPHL in both majors (34) and penalty minutes (250). Before turning pro in 2011 with the Danville Dashers of the Federal Hockey League, Amesbury spent three seasons in the Pacific Junior Hockey League where he accumulated 1,007 penalty minutes in 126 games.

Gordon Getting It Done: Left-wing Ben Gordon has been one of the Oilers most consistent scoring threats. In the last ten games, Gordon has registered six goals and six assists. The native of International Falls, Minnesota leads the Oilers with 15 goals and is tied for the team lead in points (28) and powerplay goals (5). Gordon is also tops on the squad and third in the league with 113 shots on net.

Solid Play Out of Menei: Right-wing Ryan Menei has recorded a point in 11 of the 13 games. The sixth-year pro has become the Oilers premier set-up man with a team high 21 assists through the first 26 contests. Menei leads Tulsa with seven powerplay assists and eight powerplay points.

Mallards Up Next: The Oilers finish off a five game road swing with a pair of contests in Quad City on Friday and Saturday. Tulsa has a 1-1-1 record against the Mallards this season. In the last meeting on November 24, the Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period but surrendered four unanswered goals in a 4-3 loss. Quad City will travel to the BOK Center on December 28 to complete the six-game season series with the Oilers.

Upcoming Games: Only two games left for the Oilers before Christmas break, both in Quad City this weekend.

Friday, December 21 at 7:05 p.m. - at Quad City Mallards

Saturday, December 22 at 7:05 p.m. - at Quad City Mallards

Wednesday, December 26 at 7:05 p.m. - vs. Fort Worth Brahmas

Friday, December 28 at 7:35 p.m. - vs. Quad City Mallards (first night of "Turn Back the Clock" Weekend, Oilers will wear special throwback jerseys)

Saturday, December 29 at 7:35 p.m. - vs. Missouri Mavericks (second night of "Turn Back the Clock" Weekend, jersey auction immediately following the game at ONEOK Club, Season Ticket Holder Party prior to the game behind section 118)

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