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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Weekly News and Notes

January 7, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


Week In Review: The Oilers went 0-3 last week with road losses at Missouri, Allen, and Fort Worth.

New Year's Eve against the Mavericks, Tulsa fired 35 shots on net but was unable to put the puck past Missouri goalie Mike Clemente in a 1-0 loss. The Oilers were shutout for the third time this season and have lost each of their last six visits to the Independence Events Center. Ben Gordon led all skaters with nine shots on goal while rookie netminder Shane Madolora finished with 33 saves in the loss.

Friday in Allen, the Oilers opened 2013 with their eleventh straight road loss in a 6-2 setback at the hands of the Americans. Ben Gordon gave Tulsa an early lead with a powerplay marker just two minutes into the first period, but Allen responded with five unanswered goals to put the contest out of reach. Oilers heavyweight Daniel Amesbury fought twice while defensemen Gio Flamminio and Sean Erickson also dropped their gloves in a heated, physical, and entertaining game.

The Oilers finished their North Texas swing on Saturday with a 6-3 loss to Fort Worth. For a second straight night, Tulsa surrendered five consecutive goals and the Brahmas took control of the game early in the third period. Gary Steffes chipped in a pair of goals and Ryan Cramer added a late tally for the Oilers who lost their fifth in a row to Fort Worth. Sean Erickson recorded three assists as the Oilers fell to 9-22-3 overall and 3-16-0 on the road.

Second Half Begins: The first half of the 2012-13 CHL season is behind them and the Oilers are in need of a turnaround. Sitting in last place in the league standings, Tulsa is 11 points out of a playoff spot with 32 games remaining. The Oilers have lost 13 of their last 14 games and have earned only five points since the beginning of December. A .500 team at home so far this season (6-6-3), the Oilers will play nine of their next 12 games in the BOK Center.

No End To Road Woes: Tulsa's road losing streak has reached 12 games. The Oilers haven't tasted victory away from home since a 1-0 overtime triumph at Fort Worth on November 10. Over the course of the current streak, Tulsa has a -34 goal differential and has been shut out three times. The Oilers, who won only nine road games during the 2011-12 campaign, have just three road wins so far this season, the lowest total in the CHL.

You Can Count on Gary: Third-year center Gary Steffes leads the Oilers with 19 goals and ranks third on the squad with 33 points. The 25-year old has already tied his goal total from his first pro season when he was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and is just three goals shy of last season's total of 22. Steffes, who has not missed a single game since turning pro, has 10 multiple-point games this season, more than any other player on the Tulsa roster. The Michigan native also leads the Oilers with 52 penalty minutes and has recorded the team's only hat-trick this season.

Staying Out of the Sin Bin: Through 34 games, the Oilers are the second most disciplined team in the CHL behind only Fort Worth. Tulsa is averaging only 14 penalty minutes per game and has been shorthanded 130 times, the second lowest total in the league.

Top Ten Forwards: Left wing Ben Gordon and right wing Ryan Menei have maintained a steady scoring pace and both Oilers forwards rank in the top ten in points in the CHL. Gordon, who is just one goal shy of 100 for his career, is sixth in the league with 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists) and leads the Oilers in powerplay goals (6) and shots (149). Menei, who recently recorded his 200th career assists, ranks eighth overall with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) and is tied for the team lead with nine points on the powerplay.

Earning Respect The Hard Way: In just eight games with the Oilers, right wing Daniel Amesbury has already solidified a reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the Central Hockey League. Amesbury, 22, had two bouts in his Oilers debut against Wichita enforcer, Erik Lizon. The 6'1" 210-pounder followed up with a "YouTube worthy" performance in his first home game by pummeling Jason Kostadine, a heavyweight for the Quad City Mallards. Friday night in Allen, Amesbury dropped the mitts off the opening faceoff and went toe-to-toe with Americans' bruiser Ryley Grantham before fighting Kip Brennan in the second period. He picked up another fighting major and nine more penalty minutes on Saturday in Fort Worth. Amesbury, a Maple Ridge, British Columbia native, has 426 penalty minutes in 62 professional games.

Upcoming Games: Tulsa plays its fourth straight game on the road this Friday at Missouri before finishing the weekend with a pair of home games against Bloomington and Fort Worth

Friday, Jan. 11 at 7:05 p.m. - at Missouri Mavericks

- Watch Party at Gusano's Chicago-Style Pizzeria at 101st & Mingo...great food, great fun, and a great place to hang out with fellow Oilers fans as you cheer the Oilers to victory!

Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:35 p.m. - vs. Bloomington Blaze

- Youth Jersey Night

- First 1,000 kids (12 & under) receive a free Oilers youth jersey

- All kids (12 & under) receive free admission with redemption of ticket voucher which can be found at www.tulsaoilers.com/tickets

Sunday, Jan. 13 at 4:05 p.m. - vs. Fort Worth Brahmas

- Family Fun Day with Papa John's Family Packs of 4 tickets starting at $49

- Post-game skate with the Oilers players

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