Tulsa Closes Out 2003-2004 Campaign 4-0
March 15, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
The Tulsa Oilers completed the 2003-2004 schedule in grand fashion last week, posting a perfect 4-0 record. Tulsa finished with a 26-25-13 record, ending in a fourth-place tie with Oklahoma City with 65 points.
Tulsa opened up the week with a home matchup on Tuesday with the playoff-bound Wichita Thunder. Cam Kuzyk tallied a goal and an assist and captain Todd Marcellus scored the game-winner as Tulsa beat Wichita 3-2. Jason Bermingham added two assists in the win, and Jordon Flodell also lit the lamp. Rod Branch stopped 32 shots to nearly foil Wichita's playoff chances.
Friday night, the Oilers hosted their final home game of the season, as the Oklahoma City Blazers came to town. Tulsa lit up the scoreboard on the Blazers, thrashing Oklahoma City 8-4 before 5,742 rowdy fans at the Tulsa Convention Center. Eight different Oilers scored a goal as Tulsa matched its season-high offensive output. Todd Marcellus, Wes Scanzano, and Shawn Scanzano each recorded a goal and two assists, while Dan Gravelle, Jason Bermingham, and Chris Page added a goal and a helper. Branislav Kvetan tallied three assists, and Regan Harper added two helpers in his last professional game in front of the home crowd.
Riding the momentum, Tulsa then hit the road for the final two games of the season over the weekend. Saturday night, the Oilers strolled into Fort Worth to take on the Brahmas. And again, Tulsa came out on top, scoring a 5-4 victory. Doug Pirnak and Dan McNeill were ejected for fighting late in the second period, and Branislav Kvetan went down with an injury, leaving the Oilers with 10 skaters for the entire third frame. Despite that, the Oilers beat the adversity and managed to hang on for the win. Wes & Shawn Scanzano both had a goal and an assist, while Jason Bermingham equaled that feat with a goal and a helper of his own, and Dan Gravelle racked up three assists. Goaltender Tim Kelleher gave arguably his most impressive showing of the season, stopping 57 Brahma shots, including 27 in the second period, to get the victory. The 57 saves were third-most in the league this year.
Following the triumph in Fort Worth, Tulsa got back on the bus and headed to Memphis for a matinee with the RiverKings to conclude the season on Sunday. Memphis needed the two points to qualify for the postseason, but Tulsa showed its perseverance, winning the game 4-3 and knocking the back-to-back CHL champions out of postseason contention. Regan Harper scored two goals in his final professional game, while Todd Marcellus and Dan Gravelle both recorded a goal and an assist in the victory. Rod Branch turned away 39 to earn the win, and Jason Bermingham assisted twice as the Oilers closed out the season with a perfect 4-0 week.
FINAL TEAM LEADERBOARD:
Goals: Dan Gravelle 35
Assists: Todd Marcellus 45
Points: Bermingham/Marcellus 74
Plus/Minus: Regan Harper +18
PIM: Shawn Scanzano 140
PPG: Jason Bermingham 13
SHG: Marcellus/Gravelle 2
GWG: Jason Bermingham 6
Shots: Jason Bermingham 276
SH Pct: Doug Pirnak 20.0
Shootout G: Todd Marcellus 5
Wins: Rod Branch 19
GAA: Tim Kelleher 3.00
Save Pct: Rod Branch .917
Saves: Rod Branch 1,402
Minutes: Rod Branch 2499:50
The Tulsa Oilers would like to thank all those who supported Oilers hockey this season, and look forward to the 2004-2005 season. See you in October!
Central Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2004
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- Saints playoff hockey - believe it! - San Angelo Saints
- RiverKings goaltender Racine called up to St. John's - Mississippi RiverKings
- Shutouts and Sellouts Leads to CHL Honors - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Killer Bees Add Two For Playoffs - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- Marcellus Named CHL Player of the Week - Tulsa Oilers
- Mudbugs the featured entree - Indianapolis Ice
- Gorillas and the Saints set to rumble in first round of playoffs - Amarillo Gorillas
- Brahmas end season with win over Ice Bats - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks & Law Out & About - Laredo Bucks
- Thunder playoff bound - Wichita Thunder
- Tulsa Closes Out 2003-2004 Campaign 4-0 - Tulsa Oilers
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