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CHL Tulsa Oilers

Tulsa Oilers Weekly

February 27, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


Week In Review: Tulsa went 1-2-1 over the last seven days and started off the week with a 2-1 overtime loss at home to Fort Wayne. Oilers goalie Steve Christie stood tall in net, making 42 saves on 44 Komets shots. Kaleigh Shrock put home the game-winning goal for the visitors, but Tulsa was able to salvage a valuable point.

Friday night, the Oilers concluded their six-game home stand and began a three-game weekend series against Texas. In a 2-1 win over the Brahmas, Tulsa's offense came from the unlikeliest of sources. Defenseman Tyler Fleck, who hadn't scored a goal all season, rifled home a shot from the slot to give the Oilers an early lead. Fleck's fellow d-man, Gio Flamminio, notched just his second goal of the season when he provided the Oilers with the insurance marker early in the third period. Tulsa got another sterling performance from Christie who turned aside 29 shots to preserve the victory.

The weekend series shifted to Fort Worth for Saturday and Sunday's contests. The Oilers took a 1-0 lead into the third period on Saturday, but the Brahmas stormed back to post a 3-1 win. Less than 24 hours later, the Oilers, playing with a depleted bench of only 13 skaters, held two leads over the Brahmas but couldn't sustain their edge. For the second straight night, Texas scored three unanswered goals and pulled away for a 4-2 win.

Tulsa, which has two games in hand on Rio Grande Valley, remains three points up on the Killer Bees for the final playoff spot in the Berry Conference.

Fleck Joins 700 Club: Sunday's tilt against Texas was the 700th professional game of Tyler Fleck's outstanding career. The Tulsa captain has played every one of his games in the CHL and ranks fifth in the league in all-time games played. Fleck, who has played in all 52 contests this season, has a goal and five assists, and assumes the role of the Oilers unquestioned leader both on and off the ice. The 33-year old Saskatchewan native turned pro in 1999 and spent eight productive seasons patrolling the blue line for the Oklahoma City Blazers. Fleck played briefly for the Missouri Mavericks in 2009 before he was traded to the Oilers.

Enlow Achieves Milestone: As a teenager in the early 70's, Steve Enlow began working for the Oilers as a stick boy. After a career spanning four decades, Enlow worked his 2,000th game as a hockey equipment manager when the Oilers faced off against Texas last Sunday. The Tulsa native was with the Oilers when they won a CHL championship in 1984 and returned to the team prior to the 1994 season after the re-birth of the league. Over the last 18 years, Enlow hasn't missed a single game. He has seen players and coaches come and go, he has watched the Oilers organization undergo drastic changes, and he adapted as technology rapidly changed the game of hockey. Through it all, Enlow has been a constant in the Oilers locker room and behind the bench. In 2010, Enlow was awarded the N. Thomas Berry Commitment Cup and in 2006 was named the CHL Equipment Manager of the Year. Enlow has also participated in two CHL All-Star games. The Oilers would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for his professionalism, his loyalty and dedication, and his outstanding years of service to the organization.

Crack Down On Cramer: Rookie forward Ryan Cramer was suspended two games by the CHL for what was deemed an "illegal hit to the head" on Brahmas forward Ross Rouleau in the second period of Saturday's game. Cramer sat out during Sunday's game at Texas and will miss Tuesday's contest against Missouri.

Perfection on the PK: The Oilers enjoyed a perfect week of penalty killing as they stopped all 14 opposing powerplays. Tulsa killed off a pair of penalties in the overtime loss to Fort Wayne on Tuesday, then stymied the Brahmas advantages 14 times over the course of three games. The Oilers, who rank eighth in the CHL with a penalty kill success rate of 82.5 percent, have allowed 39 powerplay goals in 52 games this season.

Upcoming Games: The Oilers close out the month of February with a Tuesday home game against Missouri before beginning the final month of the regular season on the road at Bloomington on Friday. Tulsa is back at the BOK Center this Saturday to host Rapid City.

Tuesday, February 28 vs. Missouri Mavericks at 7:05 p.m.

The Mavericks got the best of the Oilers last time they were in Tulsa so the Oilers need you provide a raucous, unfriendly atmosphere for the visitors! After a hard day's work, you deserve to kick back with a cold one and the Oilers have you covered. Beer is $2 all night long at the BOK Center! Plus, it's another Papa John's College Night so it's more affordable than ever to witness the Oilers maul the Mavericks!

Saturday, March 3 vs. Rapid City Rush at 7:35 p.m.

The final month of the regular season begins and every game takes on a higher level of importance for the Oilers as they chase down a playoff spot. Show the Oilers your support as they take on the Rush, and you'll be rewarded! The first 3,000 fans (21 and over) through the BOK Center doors will receive $10 in free match play at River Spirit Casino. Cheer the Oilers on to victory and put cash in your hand! Only a handful of home games remain, don't miss your chance to catch the hard-hitting action when the Oilers halt the Rush!

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