Skid Finally Ends as Oilers Earn 5-3 Win over Mallards
December 28, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - Maybe it was the magic of throwback pinstripe jerseys, perhaps it was the game-changing saves from Shane Madolora or it could have been the energy provided by the fists of Daniel Amesbury. Whatever it was finally added up to a win for the victory-starved Tulsa Oilers on Friday night at the BOK Center. Tulsa posted a 5-3 triumph over Quad City to snap a nine-game winless streak.
Late in the first period, rookie defenseman Ryan Barlock scored his professional goal to give the home side the early advantage. It was the first time in four games the Oilers had scored the game's first goal.
At 5:33 of the second frame, Gary Steffes capitalized on a Mallards turnover in front of the net. The third-year center lifted a backhand past Quad City goalie John Murray for his 16th tally of the season to give Tulsa a 2-0 lead. Steffes' goal brought the BOK Center crowd to its feet but it was Oilers forward Daniel Amesbury who sent shockwaves through the building. The Oilers recent acquisition dropped the gloves with Mallards enforcer Jason Kostadine and the two heavyweights traded haymakers to the delight of the Tulsa faithful. With less than a minute remaining in the second period, Ryan Menei, serving Amesbury's additional elbowing minor, scooted out of the penalty box and fired past the blocker of Murray to give the Oilers a three-goal edge.
Down but not out, the Mallards responded with a furious flurry of offense to start the third. Mike Stinziani, Jason Dixon, and Mike Hellyer each scored in the span of two and a half minutes. Before the Oilers knew what had hit them, the game was tied at 3-3. The Oilers were able to gather themselves and bounce back thanks to another Mallards turnover deep in their own territory. Oilers wing Ben Gordon blasted a loose puck from the near circle that was tipped into the net by the waiting stick of Ryan Menei. Tulsa was back in front on Menei's second goal of the evening and his 11th of the season. The right winger now has 16 points in his last 11 games and leads all Oilers with 34 points.
Quad City was granted a five minute powerplay after Oilers forward Drew Fisher was called for cross-checking at 13:01. Thanks to brilliant glove saves by Madolora and a steady penalty killing effort, Tulsa survived the lengthy onslaught without giving up the game-tying goal.
Michel Beausoleil slammed the door shut with an empty-net goal, and the Oilers, despite being outshot 17-7 in the third period, held on for the win.
The victory, Tulsa's first since December 2, ended the longest losing streak in Bruce Ramsay's tenure as Oilers Head Coach. Madolora posted a total of 29 saves on 32 shots and registered his first win as a member of the Oilers.
Tulsa is back home Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 28, 2012
- Brahmas drop gritty game - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Booras Hat Trick Leads Blaze in Arizona - Bloomington Blaze
- Sundogs Lose to Blaze, 6-3 - Arizona Sundogs
- Rush Rookies Lead the Way in 4-1 Victory over Cutthroats - Rapid City Rush
- Cutthroats Fall to Rival Rush in 4-1 Final - Denver Cutthroats
- Brahmas Drop Gritty Game to Americans - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Skid Finally Ends as Oilers Earn 5-3 Win over Mallards - Tulsa Oilers
- Mallards Rally But Come up Short in Tulsa - Quad City Mallards
- Mavericks Earn Point in OT Loss to Wichita, 5-4 - Kansas City Mavericks
- Hanson Nets Game-Winner in OT over Missouri - Wichita Thunder
- Oilers Waive Ofukany, Sign Weeks - Tulsa Oilers
- Americans Face Fort Worth Tonight at 7:30 - Allen Americans
- Mavericks Sign Defenseman Jared Lavender - Kansas City Mavericks
- Shots from the Point for December 28, 2012 - CHL
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