|
Kings Jolt Oilers 3-1
Tulsa's Win Streak Snapped at Five
December 3, 2002
by Janna Kinder TulsaHockey.net
For the first time this season, the Tulsa Oilers lost on home ice,
falling to the Memphis RiverKings 3-1 Tuesday night at the Tulsa Convention Center.
After establishing a 10-0-0 record at the TCC, the Oilers were halted by the Northeast Division leaders in front of
the hometown fans, as RiverKing goaltender Jean-Francois Racine stood tall, stopping 33 of 34 Tulsa shots.
Not only were the Oilers' current and home win streaks snapped, but Tulsa netminder Rod
Branch suffered his first defeat of the season, falling to a still impressive 16-1-0.
For a good portion of the game, the 'Kings displayed the same type dominance that was all too familiar to the
Oilers and their fans last season, controlling the overall flow and applying heavy forechecking in the Tulsa zone.
With Tulsa's Dallas Anderson in the box for a roughing minor, Memphis opened the
scoring at 8:54 of the first period on a goal by new RiverKing signee Jonathon Gagnon, assisted by Derek Landmesser and Don Parsons.
The RiverKings grabbed a 2-0 advantage at 10:57 of the first when
Landmesser weaved his way through traffic in the slot, firing a wrister from the right circle over a fallen Branch. Gagnon was awarded an assist on the goal.
The Oilers sliced the deficit in half at
3:30 of the second period when Anderson tipped in a shot from the right point, fired by rookie defenseman Jordon Flodell. Forward Jamie Steer was given the second helper on Anderson's 2nd goal of the season.
The Kings restored their 2 goal lead at 14:56 of the second on a power play tally, giving Memphis a 3-1 lead. With Branch caught out of position, right winger Brad Mueller put a low shot into the
right corner of the net, despite Oiler defenseman Mike Mohr's efforts to keep it out of the Tulsa cage.
The third period was scoreless, though the Oilers had a few excellent opportunities to
capitalize, but efforts were fruitless as Memphis applied strong defense, successfully protecting the lead.
The Tulsa loss, coupled with the Oklahoma City Blazers' 4-2 victory over the Odessa
Jackalopes Tuesday night, finds OKC 11 points back of the Oilers with two games in hand.
The Oilers travel to Indianapolis for a weekend doubleheader against the Ice. Friday night's match begins at
7:00 p.m. |
