ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Pszenyczny's OT Winner Gives Oilers Fifth Consecutive Victory

Published on February 28, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


RAPID CITY, SD - The Tulsa Oilers overcame early adversity and survived a furious comeback effort from the Rapid City Rush to record a 6-5 overtime victory on Friday night at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Tulsa defenseman Dave Pszenyczny lifted a backhand past John Griggs with 15 seconds remaining in the extra session to give the Oilers their fifth straight win overall and sixth consecutive road triumph. Despite watching a three-goal, third period lead disappear, the Oilers managed to improve to 3-0-1 in Rapid City this season and secure a pair of valuable points in the Central Division playoff chase.

Rapid City gained the upper hand early in the contest with two goals in the first seven minutes of the first period. Rush forward Kale Kerbashian opened the scoring at 1:44 when he beat Tulsa goalie Brandon Anderson to the blocker side for his 15th strike of the season. Scott Brannon provided the Rush with a 2-0 edge at 7:31 and six minutes later, the Oilers were finally able to sink their teeth into the contest. Sustained offensive pressure paid off for Tulsa when Pleskach buried a puck behind Danny Battachio for his team-leading 29th goal of the year at 13:42. Just 100 seconds later, Tommy Mele redirected a slap shot from Eric Tallent into the back of the cage to the level the game at 2-2.

The Oilers maintained an upward climb into the second period and Eric Tallent scored his first goal of the season with a short handed tally only three minutes into the frame. Matt Larke skated past the Rush defense, and put the puck off of Battochio before Tallent arrived to shovel home the loose puck. At the seven minute mark, Brady Ramsay expanded the Oilers lead by two; punching in an open back door goal. Battachio was pulled from the game in favor of John Griggs but the Oilers managed to extend their lead before the middle frame came to a close. With 23 seconds left in the period, Scott Macaulay sent a pass to the tape of Jeff Jubinville and the rookie center fired into an open net to put the Oilers up 5-3 on a power play.

After giving up five unanswered goals to their guests, the Rush began to chip away at the deficit at 11:35 of the third period. Jesse Schultz, Rapid City's leading scorer, snapped a cross-ice pass from Dylan Clarke behind Anderson to cut the Oilers' advantage to two goals. With under a minute to play in regulation and the Rush net empty, Winston Day Chief scored on the power play and the Tulsa lead was whittled to 5-4. Kerbashian, already a part of three of the four Rush goals, created the equalizer on another connection with Day Chief. Only two seconds separated the Oilers from a regulation win when Kerbashian set up Day Chief who put the puck past Anderson for the second time in 33 seconds.

The sudden swell of Rush momentum was neutralized by the Oilers' in overtime and with a shootout imminent, Pszenyczny received a feed from Scott Macaulay and elevated a backhand over the blocker of Griggs to give the visitors the extra point.

Tulsa improved to 5-5-1 against Rapid City in the season series and Anderson finished the night with 35 stops. Each side converted once on the man-advantage and Macaulay and Drew Fisher both dished out three assists to lead the Oilers' attack.

The season series finale between the Oilers and the Rush is set for Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. (Central Time). Oilers fans can catch every minute of the action at the official Bud Light Watch Party at Fox and Hound in Broken Arrow (71st and Garnett).

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from February 28, 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