CHL Tulsa Oilers

Tulsa Oilers Weekly News and Notes

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


Last Week's Games:

Fri. Dec. 6 vs. Arizona (5-3 W)

Sat. Dec. 7 @ Wichita (4-1 W)

Sun. Dec. 8 vs. Arizona (4-3 W)

Upcoming Games:

Thu. Dec. 12 @ Brampton - 6:00 p.m.

Fri. Dec. 13 @ Brampton - 6:30 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 15 @ Brampton - 1:00 p.m.

(all games listed in Central Time)

Week In Review: The Oilers went unbeaten in three games last weekend, posting a pair of wins over Arizona and a road victory against Wichita. Friday at the BOK Center, the Oilers scored three times in the third period to surge by the Sundogs for a 5-3 win in the first meeting of the season between the two clubs. The Oilers traveled to Wichita on Saturday where goaltender Shane Madolora enjoyed one of his finest performances of the season. The second-year pro turned aside 32 shots and Tulsa posted a 4-1 win to improve to 4-1-0 this season against the rival Thunder. Back on home ice on Sunday afternoon, the Oilers completed their weekend sweep by holding off a feisty Sundogs bunch for a narrow 4-3 triumph.

Nearing The Top: A 3-0-0 start to the month of December has vaulted the Oilers into sole possession of second place in the CHL standings. Tulsa has won 13 of its last 17 games and sits just four points back of first place Rapid City.

Whistle-Blowing: The Oilers were assessed 51 penalty minutes on Sunday, a new season-high for a single game. Tulsa was called for eight minor penalties, one fighting major, and three 10-minute misconducts.

Finding His Form: Tulsa goalie Shane Madolora is tied for second in the CHL with 11 wins. The California native made 32 saves on 33 shots in Wichita on Saturday and followed up with 30 saves against Arizona on Sunday to record back-to-back 30-save outings for the first time this season.

One-Sided Rivalry: The Oilers have invaded Wichita three times this season and have come away with a victory in each visit. Tulsa has outscored Wichita 14-7 in those contests and has won three straight games on the Thunder's home ice for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

Offensive Output: Finding the net has not been an issue lately for the Oilers who have put up three goals or more in eight straight games and 11 of their last 12. Tulsa leads the league with 88 goals and is averaging 3.66 goals per game.

Goals In Bunches: Rookie forward Adam Pleskach leads the Oilers with four-multiple goal games this season. The 25-year old tallied twice in the first period of the Oilers 5-3 win over Arizona on Friday. Pleskach leads all CHL rookies and is tied for the Oilers team lead with 15 goals on the season.

Sizzling Stretch: Forward Ben Gordon saw his eight-game point streak come to an end on Sunday against Arizona. Over the eight-game stretch Gordon put up 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) and ranks fifth in the CHL with 27 points on the season. The 28-year old has scored at least one point in 16 of his 21 games this season.

One For Himself: After making a habit of consistently setting up his teammates and posting 12 assists in his first 16 games as an Oiler, rookie defenseman Scott Macaulay scored his first goal of the season on Saturday in Wichita. The Winnipeg native stands in sixth place in the league in rookie scoring and fifth place in points among CHL defensemen.

Happy To Help: Right-wing Ryan Menei has dished out seven assists in his last four games. The seventh-year pro had three helpers and a +2 rating in the Oilers loss at Quad City on November 30 and last Saturday he assisted on each of the Oilers first three goals in the 4-1 win at Wichita. Menei, who missed a month of action due to injury, recorded another assist on Sunday and has eight points in nine games this season.

Tied At The Top: With 34 points this season, center Todd Robinson is tied with Denver's Garrett Bembridge for the CHL scoring lead. Robinson is number one in the league with 26 assists while Bembridge is tops in the league with 20 goals. Robinson earned the CHL scoring title in the 2011-12 season when he put up 92 points with the Evansville Icemen.

Bound For Brampton: This week, the Oilers board the bus for their first ever trip to Brampton where they will play three games in four days (Thu, Fri, Sun) against the Beast. The six-day trek will cover 2,270 miles but will not be Tulsa's longest road trip of the season. The Oilers will drive 2,352 miles when they play the Cutthroats in Aspen, Colorado on January 3 and 4 and visit Rapid City on January 7.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics



Central Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2013


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