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ECHL Tulsa Oilers

Quick Strikes in Third Period Propel Oilers Past Thunder

March 13, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - Back in their own barn for the first time in 27 days, the Tulsa Oilers made the most of their homecoming on Friday night with a crucial 4-1 win over the Wichita Thunder. Adam Pleskach scored a pair of goals and rookie netminder Kevin Carr recorded 35 saves to lift the Oilers over their rival for the eighth time in ten meetings.

Pleskach put the Oilers out front at 11:10 of the first period when he finished off a two-on-one rush by tapping home a pass from rookie center Jeff Jubinville. With the assist, Jubinville extended his point streak to seven games.

The Oilers' lead held until the 4:25 mark of the middle frame and it was Danick Gauthier who found the equalizer for the visitors. Wichita's leading goal-scorer, Gauthier netted his 24th goal of the season when he ripped a shot past Carr from the high slot. The Thunder outshot the Oilers 17-8 in the second period but the score remained knotted at 1-1 into the second intermission.

Just seconds after a Tulsa power play had expired in the third, Pleskach once again planted himself in front of the Wichita net and banged the puck through goaltender Grant Rollheiser for his second tally of the night. Pleskach moved into sole possession of second place in the ECHL goal scoring race and tied his outstanding rookie total of 33 goals. Before the 8,225 on hand at the BOK Center had finished celebrating Pleskach's goal, rookie winger Brady Ramsay wired a slap shot from the right wing over the glove of Rollheiser to give Tulsa a 3-1 cushion. The goals occurred just 12 seconds apart, the second-fastest strikes of the entire season. Ramsay, who assisted on Pleskach's goal in the first period, registered his first multi-point game as an Oiler. Carr made 10 of his 35 saves in the third period and Tommy Mele capped off the triumph with an empty net goal at 18:03. Mele became the fourth Oiler this season to reach the 20-goal plateau.

The Oilers have allowed only one goal in the last six periods of hockey and moved within two points of the Thunder for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. For the second straight contest, the Oilers were perfect on the penalty kill (3-for-3) thanks in large part to the heroics of Carr who was called upon to make several close-range stops on Thunder power plays. Tulsa snapped a three-game home losing streak and picked up two points at the BOK Center for the first time since January 30.

The Oilers three-in-three weekend continues on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. against the Brampton Beast on Budweiser Military Night presented by the Oklahoma National Guard. The Oilers will wear special patriotic jerseys which will be auctioned off immediately following the game with proceeds going to Folds of Honor Foundation.

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