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Ice Blank Oiler 2-0
Oilers, Branch Suffer First Back to Back Losses of Season
December 6, 2002
by Janna Kinder
TulsaHockey.net
The Tulsa Oilers dropped their second game in a row
Friday night, losing to the Indianapolis Ice 2-0 in front of 3,038 fans at the Pepsi Coliseum.
After a torrid start to the 2002-2003 season, the Oilers' offensive production sputtered for a second
straight game, as Indianapolis netminder and CHL Goaltender of the Week Shawn Silver denied all 24 Tulsa shots. The shut out was Silver's second in a row, as the goaltender has now gone 162:32 without
allowing a goal.
With the loss, Tulsa's record drops to 18-4-0.
At 15:44 of the first period, Indy forward Randy Holmes deflected a shot by Justin Kearns past Oiler netminder Rod Branch, who
was screened when the initial shot was fired. Ice defenseman Nate Elliot was awarded the second assist on Holmes' third goal of the season.
Despite several scoring chances for both teams, including a
3 on 1 rush for the Oilers, neither team converted in the second period.
As Branch was attempting to leave the ice late in the third period for an extra Tulsa attacker, he made a clearing attempt
which forward Bryce Classen gathered along the boards. Classen then sent a pass in front to Greg Olsen, who in turn one-timed it off the crossbar and into the net at 19:37 of the third. Kevin St. Jacques was
awarded the second helper on the Ice's victory-securing tally.
Tulsa will attempt to avenge its loss tomorrow night as the teams complete a weekend doubleheader at the Pepsi Coliseum. Game time is
set for 6:00 p.m. Tulsa time. |
