ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Win OT Thriller over Beast in Front of Largest Crowd of the Season

January 2, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers were able to overcome two third period deficits as well as a sensational goaltending performance from Brampton's Trevor Cann to earn a 5-4 overtime victory over the Beast on Friday night at the BOK Center. A crowd of 7,771 erupted as a backhand from Adam Pleskach floated over Cann's shoulder with 34 seconds remaining in the extra session. Tulsa fired a season-high 62 shots in Cann's direction including 31 shots in the second period alone.

The Beast picked up a pair of first period power play goals from Rob Ricci at 14:44 and Matt McCready at 19:55 to build a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Oilers allowed multiple power play goals for the third time in the last five games and Brampton ended the evening 2-for-3 with the man advantage.

Tulsa rookie center Jeff Jubinville was the first to solve Cann at 5:42 of the second period. After Cann denied Drew Fisher and a rebound attempt by Pleskach, Jubinville was able to tip a bouncing puck through the netminder's legs for his ninth goal of the season. At 8:05 of the middle frame, Justin Donati was called for tripping and Tyler Donati's unsportsmanlike behavior gave the Oilers a two-minute, 5-on-3 advantage. Tulsa's power play shooters blasted at Cann from all angles of the ice but the the former Oiler stood tall against his old club and helped the Beast maintain a 2-1 lead. The home team's persistence finally paid off at 14:38 of the second when Jubinville was able to fire a pass over a fallen Cann to the waiting stick of Fisher who tapped home the equalizer. With his 10th goal of the season, Fisher became the fifth Oilers player to reach a double-digit goal total.

Just four and a half minutes into the third, Brampton moved back in front. A long shot from the neutral zone was stopped by Carr but Beast center Cal Wild swatted the rebound into the back of net for a 3-2 lead. Tulsa answered at 10:05 as Kyle O'Kane re-directed a Scott Macaulay pass through Cann for his 12th tally of the season. With less than four minutes left in regulation, an innocent drive from Justin Donati somehow found its way past Carr. Donati reared back from the red line and sent a screaming slap shot off the blocker of Carr and into the net to give the Beast an improbable 4-3 advantage. Once again, the Oilers responded thanks to the concentration and hustle of Fisher. The third-year winger somehow located a bouncing puck in the feet of a Beast defenseman and snapped a shot over the glove of Carr with only 2:03 remaining in regulation. Fisher's second multi-goal game of the season propelled the contest into overtime.

Carr redeemed himself in the bonus session with five solid saves and allowed Pleskach the opportunity to give the Oilers and extra point. Despite having his initial shot blocked in front of Carr, Pleskach pounced on the loose puck and quickly elevated a backhand shot into the top of the net. The Manitoba native notched his 19th goal of the year and helped the Oilers move to 2-0-0 in the season series with Brampton. Pleskach, Fisher, and Jubinville each recorded three points while McCready and Ricci each chipped in a pair of points for the Beast.

The Oilers are now 2-1 in overtime contests this season and the Beast fell to 2-2 in games decided in overtime. Carr made 27 saves in the victory and helped the Oilers to just their second win in the last nine games.

Tulsa is back on home ice at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday to take on the Rapid City Rush on "Selfie Jersey Night" at the BOK Center.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 2, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central