Rage Upsets Oilers with Dramatic Third Period Rally
December 29, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Broomfield, Colo. - In their final game of the year 2007, the Rocky Mountain Rage gave their fans two games for the price of one. The Tulsa Oilers led the Rage 5-0 after the first two periods tonight at the Broomfield Event Center, but the third period belonged to the Rage. Rocky Mountain scored five goals in the third period to tie the game, force overtime and win 6-5 in a shootout.
The Rage advanced to 20-4-2 (42 points), maintaining the top spot in the Northwest Division and the highest winning percentage in the league (.808). The Tulsa Oilers gained one point for a 7-16-3 (17 points) record and fourth place in the Northwest Division.
Rocky Mountain's leading scorer and 2008 All-Star Game starter Scott Wray remained out of the lineup tonight after suffering an injury during last night's loss to Oklahoma City.
The Tulsa Oilers struck early with two goals from Josh Garbutt at 1:19 and David Beauregard at 4:38. Tulsa extended their lead by three goals on the first powerplay opportunity of the game. Beauregard fired a wrist shot in net from the right circle at 10:31 for his second of the game and team-leading 14th goal of the season. Tulsa players Beauregard, Warren McCutcheon, Josh Garbutt and Jeff Christian each had a hand in two of the three goals scored in the first period.
In the second period, Rocky Mountain outshot the Oilers 13-11, but Tulsa was the only team to capitalize on their shots. Tulsa defenseman Mike Looby knocked the puck in net with just under seven minutes remaining, but the goal was immediately waived off. Referee Mike Wiegert ruled that it was batted in net with his glove. Two minutes later however, Tulsa's McCutcheon, former draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, wristed the puck in net short-handed to give the Oilers a 4-0 lead.
Just 17 seconds later, Beauregard scored a hat trick for Tulsa's fifth and last goal of the night. Rage goaltender Guy St. Vincent replaced starting goaltender Scott Reid in net at 15:36 of the second period.
The third period quickly headed in a different direction. Rage captain Brent Cullaton broke Tulsa's two-period shutout streak at 19 seconds on a powerplay. Trevor Weisgerber and Daymen Rycroft assisted on the play.
Rage center David Morelli received an across ice pass from Chip Dunleavy in front of the crease and scored at 12:49.
On a Rage penalty kill at 13:24, Cullaton picked up the puck after a Tulsa shot hit the crossbar. Cullaton skated one-on-one short-handed to the other end, was tripped down by a Tulsa defenseman and was awarded a penalty shot. Cullaton scored on the penalty shot at 14:09 to bring the Rage within two goals of Tulsa.
Jami Yoder's came skating out of the penalty box at 15:24, joining a 3-on-1 rush to the Rage offensive end led by Daymen Rycroft. Rycroft passed back to Simon Watson. He chipped it forward for Yoder, who sent it in net under the pads of St. Pierre. It marked Yoder's first goal of the season.
Rocky Mountain left winger Colt King added the game-tying goal at 18:27 to force overtime.
Rage goaltender Scott Reid came back in net for the overtime period where Rocky Mountain outshot the Oilers 4-2. Both teams were kept scoreless in the period. Rage forwards David Morelli and Trevor Weisgerber tallied goals in the shootout to win it for Rocky Mountain.
The Rage returns to action in 2008. They host the Amarillo Gorillas January 3 at the Broomfield Event Center. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans not in attendance can also listen in on The New ESPN Radio 1600 or tune in to CHL Network at www.RockyMountainRage.com. Single-game tickets for all home Rage games are on sale now and range in price from $18-$43 per seat (parking included), and may be purchased through Ticketmaster. Season tickets, mini-packs, and group plans are also available for the 2007-08 season by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2007
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