CHL Tulsa Oilers

Thinel's Shorthanded Goal Dooms Oilers in 5-3 Loss to Mavs

Published on December 30, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - A four-minute powerplay late in the third period turned disastrous for the Tulsa Oilers as Missouri Mavericks forward Sebastien Thinel buried a shorthanded scoring to break a 3--3 deadlock and propel the visitors to a 5-3 Central Hockey League victory at the BOK Center on Saturday night. The Oilers, who snapped a nine-game losing streak on Friday, failed to win back-to-back contests and dropped to 9-19-3 overall.

Thinel, who finished with four points for a second straight game, opened the scoring at 8:35 of the first period. Tulsa responded with a powerplay goal from Gary Steffes and one-timer tally from Ben Gordon to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Mavs forward Kenton Miller scored the only goal of the second period off a turnover behind the Oilers goal, and for only the eight time all season, Tulsa found itself in a tie game heading into the third period.

Dave Pszenyczny's powerplay marker at 3:50 of the third swung the lead and the momentum back to Missouri, but the Oilers answered with another powerplay goal of their own. Sean Erickson's blast rocketed past Mavs goalie Mike Clemente at 8:28 and the contest was tied for the fourth time. When Podge Turnbull cut Michel Beausoleil with a high-stick, the Oilers were awarded a four-minute powerplay with just 3:58 remaining on the game clock. What should have been an advantage quickly turned sour when a neutral zone turnover ended up on the stick of Brandon Smith. The Missouri defenseman dished the puck to Thinel who beat Tulsa goalie Shane Madolora high over the glove hand. The shorthanded goal, the seventh allowed by Tulsa this season, proved to be the game-winner as the Oilers were unable to capitalize on their remaining powerplay time. Colt King iced the game for the Mavs with an empty-net goal and the Oilers were left to wonder what could have been.

Tulsa outshot Missouri 41-39 and set a new season high for shots in a period by firing 19 in the first period. Mike Clemente made 38 in the win for the Mavs, while Madolora suffered his second regulation loss as an Oiler despite stopping 34 shots.

Tulsa and Missouri face off again on New Year's Eve as the Oilers make their first visit of the season to the Independence Event Center.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2012


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