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Oilers Nip Thunder 6-5
Tulsa Scores Two Shorthanded Goals in Second Straight Victory
December 7, 2002
by Janna Kinder
TulsaHockey.net
The Tulsa Oilers defeated the Wichita Thunder 6-5
Saturday night at the Tulsa Convention in a goal filled fight fest that resembled last year's infamous end-of-the-season battle between the divisional rivals. This time, however, the Oilers emerged
victorious, going 2 for 2 during their weekend homestand.
At one point, the Oilers held a 4-0 lead but the Thunder battled back, pulling to within one goal with just over three minutes remaining in
regulation. Despite applying heavy pressure in the Oiler end, Wichita was unable to score the equalizer.
With the win, the Oilers reached the twenty-victory mark, improving to 20-5-0 for the season
and 12-1-0 at home. Tulsa currently sits atop the Northwest Division with 40 standings points.
Tulsa opened the scoring at 2:25 of the first period during a 3 on 1 rush when Oiler forward Justin
Ossachuk knocked in a rebound from the mid slot. Assists were awarded to center Klage Kaebel and defenseman Mike Mohr.
Tulsa went up 2-0 at 4:11 of the first when forward Derek Toninato scored his
first goal of the season, poking the puck into the Wichita net from directly in front of Thunder netminder Patrik Lovisek. Aaron Millar and defenseman Jorin Welsh were given assists.
The Oilers' lead
increased to 3 when veteran forward Todd Marcellus converted a shorthanded goal during a 3 on 4 situation. From the neutral zone, Marcellus carried the puck down the right wing, maneuvered around a Thunder
player and skated in directly on Lovisek, beating the Wichita goalie gloveside for his 19th goal of the season at 7:47 of the first.
Tulsa scored its fourth goal when Millar re-directed a pass from
defenseman Jordon Flodell into the goal at 9:17 of the first.
The Thunder got on the board when defenseman Vladimir Hartinger roofed a shot, beating Oiler netminder Rod Branch high gloveside at 10:28
of the first. An assist was awarded to Derek Reynolds.
Wichita cut the Oiler lead in half when Chad Nelson fired a slapshot from the left circle into the low right corner of the net at 17:01 of the
first. The power play goal was assisted by Todd Johnson.
Tulsa forward Pat Hallett gave the Oilers a 5-2 lead at 5:32 of the second period, launching a shot from the left circle off a rebound for his
14th goal of season. Veteran forward Chris Johnston and Millar assisted.
Following a brawl deep in the Oiler zone that resulted in the ejection of two Thunder players - Andrew Oke and Chad Nelson -
and Tulsa's Pat Hallett, the Thunder again cut the Oiler lead to two at 11:03 of the second on a power play goal when Travis Clayton banked a shot off an Oiler player into the Tulsa net. Right winger Jeff
Petruic was awarded a helper on the goal.
The Oilers took a 6-3 lead at 14:51 of the second period during a Thunder power play when forward Jamie Steer received a feed deep in the Thunder slot and
lifted a high shot into the net over a sprawling Lovisek. Defenseman Jared Reigstad set up Steer's 11th goal of the season.
The Thunder converted on a power play goal at 13:40 of the third period,
when Petruic fired a high shot from the right slot into the Oiler goal, with an assist going to Clayton.
Wichita pulled to within 1 when Duda scored on a sharp angled shot to the left of the Oiler
goal at 16:50 of the third. Clayton and Petruic assisted on the Thunder's fifth goal of the evening.
Despite pulling Lovisek for an extra attacker with a couple of minutes remaining, Wichita's efforts
to tie the game fell short as Tulsa hung tough in the waning moments.
The Oilers next match is this Tuesday night against the Indianapolis Ice at the Tulsa Convention Center. The puck drops at 7:05
p.m. |
