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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Third Period Sinks Oilers in 5-3 Loss to Thunder

March 9, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


WICHITA, KS - The Tulsa Oilers carried a 3-2 lead into the third period on Saturday night in Wichita only to watch the Thunder surge back with three goals in the final eight and a half minutes. The 5-3 setback marks the first time this season that the Oilers have lost when leading after two periods. Tulsa's loss, combined with Quad City's victory over Missouri, officially eliminates the Oilers from postseason contention.

Neil Trimm, Wichita's leading goal-scorer, put the home side on the board first with a powerplay tally at 18:11 of the first frame. The Oilers got a quick answer from their leading scorer, Ryan Menei, to even the score heading into the first intermission.

In the middle frame, the Oilers took control as Menei blasted a wrist shot over the glove of Grant Rollheiser for his second goal of the night. Just 47 seconds ticked off the clock before Patrick Schafer provided Tulsa a two-goal cushion. Drew Akins threw the puck in front of the Wichita net and Schafer slammed home a rebound for his fourth goal of the season. With less than a minute left in the period, Trimm swatted a loose puck past Tulsa goalie Shane Madolora to pull the Thunder back within a goal.

The Oilers narrow lead held until the 11:39 mark of the third when Jon Madden tipped in Dave Inman's slap shot to tie the game at 3-3. It was Madden's first professional goal. Five minutes later, Matt Robinson, denied just moments earlier on a breakaway, sizzled a shot over Madolora's glove and Wichita was back in front. Kevin Young added an empty-netter to seal the Thunder's eighth straight victory on home ice.

The Oilers were badly outshot, 43-13 but scored three times on their first ten shots of the contest. Rollheiser was lifted in the third period for Torrie Jung who made three saves on three shots in a relief effort.

Tulsa drops to 4-6-0 overall against Wichita this season and 3-4-0 at Intrust Bank Arena. The Oilers and Thunder will finish their regular season series on March 23 in Tulsa.

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