Rage Edges Oilers in Home Opening Thriller
November 11, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage hockey team (Central Hockey League) welcomed a capacity crowd to the inaugural home opener of the Broomfield Event Center tonight with nothing less than excitement. Left winger Nathan Rosychuk led the Rage against the Tulsa Oilers with three points (2g, 1a) and left winger Anders Strome added the game winning goal helping the team to a 5-4, fifth-round shootout win.
By the help of a season-high 53 shots on goal tonight by the Rage, Rocky Mountain improved to a 2-3-2 record and six points for fourth place in the Northwest Division. The Tulsa Oilers also improved to 1-4-2, maintaining fourth place in the Northeast Division.
Rocky Mountain jumped out to the early lead with a Nick Warriner goal from Rosychuk and newly acquired D-man Preston Briggs. The Oilers barely took the lead into their own hands by the end of the period scoring two unanswered goals, the last one with just one second remaining.
Rosychuk tied the game at 7:38 into the second period, but with a screen in front of Rage goaltender David Guerrera, Tulsa's Mike Wiggens was able to get the puck in the net and give Tulsa the lead again.
In the third period, Rage winger Dorian Anneck tipped in the puck off passes from Clay Plume and Kyle Kos on the powerplay. The Rage crowded the net again five minutes later allowing winger Mark Wires to score an even strength goal at 14:18 of the period. With Rocky Mountain now in the lead and the clock against them, the Oilers put on the pressure and capitalized with a late goal at 18:41 by Tulsa's David Rattray, which would eventually send the game to overtime.
Fans saw end-to-end action in the five minute overtime, but the Rage dominated in shots with an 8-2 advantage. Kos, Rosychuk, Vandermeer and Strome were responsible for the best scoring chances by the Rage in overtime, all firing shots just inside the blueline. Tulsa's David Masse, with arguably the best scoring chance by the Oilers, picked off the puck and skated end-to-end firing a shot on net with two minutes remaining in overtime, but was denied by Guerrera with a glove save.
The clock expired, sending the game into a shootout. Rocky Mountain's Brett DeCecco, Strome and Rosychuk played off the team's momentum in overtime and were each able get the puck past Tulsa goalie Bill Ruggiero for the win.
The Rage returns to the road tomorrow facing off against the Lubbock Cotton Kings at 6:05 p.m. Fans can listen online at www.RockyMountainRage.com or over the radio live on Z560 AM.
Single game tickets for the next home game on Tuesday, Nov. 14 versus the Wichita Thunder (7:05 p.m.) and every other Rage home game are on sale now with prices ranging from $15-$40 per seat. Tickets may be purchased online at www.BroomfieldEventCenter.com, by calling 303-410-TIXS, or at the Broomfield Event Center box office (11450 Broomfield Ln., Broomfield, 80021). Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2006-07 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.
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