CHL Tulsa Oilers

Tulsa Oilers Weekly

Published on January 19, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


The Tulsa Oilers went 0-1-1 last weekend and now stand at 12-17-9, 33 points, fifth place in the CHL's Northwest Division. Tulsa trails fourth-place New Mexico by eight points, and third-place Wichita by nine points.

The Oilers opened their four-game road trip Friday night in Colorado. The Eagles jumped on top early, scoring two goals in the opening period. However, the Oilers came back to tie it in the second on power-play goals by Lukas Sedlacek and Jason Bermingham. It was Sedlacek's first professional goal, and for Bermingham, it was his team-leading 23rd of the campaign. Deadlocked at 2-2 going into the final frame, Marian Koleda gave Tulsa the lead just 3:39 in, notching his 5th marker of the season. Colorado would answer less than three minutes later, as Lee Ruff tied the game once again at 3-3. The teams remained tied for the rest of the game and through the overtime period, so it set up the shootout. In the shootout, goaltenders Rod Branch and Gian Baldrica dueled even 3-3 through five shots, forcing sudden death. Neither team was able to score after that until the 9th round, when both Regan Harper of Tulsa and Brent Thompson of Colorado scored. The same thing happened in the tenth round, as Anthony D'Arpino lit the lamp, and then Fraser Filipic came right back to keep Colorado alive. However, that would be all Tulsa would get, and in the 14th round, Phil Crowe beat Branch to give Colorado the 4-3 victory, ending the longest shootout in Oilers history. Branch had 40 saves in the game, and stopped 8 of 14 in the shootout. Baldrica made 22 regulation saves, and turned away 9 of 14 in the shootout.

After the tough defeat in Colorado, the Oilers hit the highways and headed to Amarillo to take on the Gorillas. Captain Todd Marcellus tallied his 17th of the year, but the Oilers would get no more, as Amarillo defeated Tulsa 4-1 at the Amarillo Civic Center. Shawn Roed scored twice for the Gorillas, who have not lost to Tulsa in three meetings this season. Goaltender Shawn Degagne stopped 31 of 32 Oiler offerings, and Rod Branch again was sharp, saving 30 of 34, but took the loss.

Jason Bermingham leads the Oilers with 23 goals and 42 points. Bermingham is tied for 5th in the CHL with 22 goals and third in the league with 9 power-play tallies. He has a team-best +11 rating and 153 shots on goal. Captain Todd Marcellus leads the team with 23 assists, and is second with 40 points. Marcellus also ranks third with a +5 rating and 115 shots on goal. Dan Gravelle has scored 4 points in his last 5 games, and ranks third on the team with 15 goals and 29 points. Rookie defenseman Anthony D'Arpino has led the Oilers blueliners this year with 17 points (4G, 13A). In goal, Rod Branch leads the CHL with 937 saves, and is 5th in minutes played with 1727:20. Branch is 11-11-6 in 29 games, with a 2.81 goals against average and a .920 save percentage with one shutout.

TEAM LEADERS:

Goals: Jason Bermingham 23
Assists: Todd Marcellus 23
Points: Jason Bermingham 42
Plus/Minus: Jason Bermingham +11
PIM: Shawn Scanzano 103
PPG: Jason Bermingham 9
SHG: Marcellus/Gravelle 2
GWG: Jason Bermingham 4
Shots: Jason Bermingham 153
SH Pct: Wes Scanzano 19.7
Shootout G: Todd Marcellus 5
Wins: Rod Branch 11
GAA: Rod Branch 2.81
Saves: Rod Branch 937
Save Pct: Rod Branch .920
Minutes: Rod Branch 1727:20

This coming week, the Oilers conclude their four-game road trip with contests in New Mexico on Friday and in Amarillo again on Saturday. Tulsa returns to home ice on Friday, January 30th, hosting the Memphis RiverKings at the Convention Center.

Individual game tickets can be purchased at the Oilers ticket office, at Carson Attractions, in the Tulsa Convention Center, or at the Drug Mart locations in Tulsa, Owasso, and Broken Arrow.

Phone orders for game tickets can be made by calling 918-584-2000 or 918-632-7825.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central