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Oilers Foil Ice 3-0
Branch Gets Eighth Shut Out, Tulsa Wins Fifth in a Row
February 13, 2003
by Janna Kinder TulsaHockey.net
The Tulsa Oilers extended their winning streak to five games, dropping the Indianapolis Ice 3-0 at the Tulsa Convention Center Thursday night in one of their best overall performances of the season.
Tulsa netminder Rod Branch stopped all 27 Indianapolis shots, registering his 8th shut out of the season on the heels of a tremendous defensive performance by his teammates.
The Oiler win snapped a
four game losing streak to the Ice, cooling one of the hottest teams in the CHL - one which had gone 13-0-1 in their previous 14 games.
In addition, the Oilers increased their Northwest Divisional
lead to 5 points, improving their record to 30-15-5.
The overall tone of the match was reminiscent of a playoff game, with both teams executing tight defensive play for most of the contest. The Oilers
had several good scoring chances in the first period, including a shorthanded breakaway by veteran forward Todd Marcellus, but the Oiler sniper was denied by Indianapolis netminder Shawn Silver.
More
of the same type play followed in the second period, with the Ice getting several quality scoring chances of their own, outshooting Tulsa 13-7. Branch stood tall, however, preventing the Ice from getting on
the scoreboard.
Finally, at 2:07 of the third period, Tulsa veteran defenseman Jorin Welsh gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead, sending a quick wrister from the right circle into the back of the twine for his
5th goal of season. Assists were awarded to Marcellus and Dallas Anderson.
Marcellus and Anderson teamed up again on a 2 on 1 rush, with Anderson firing a high, sharp angled shot from deep in the
right circle past Silver at 18:12 of the third.
Tulsa wasn't done, as Marcellus and forward Derek Toninato raced in on Silver on yet another odd man rush. With the tandem feeding a succession of
passes back and forth to each other, Marcellus tapped in a one timer near the right crease area at 19:34 of the third for his 32nd goal of the year. Anderson picked up the secondary assist on the power play
goal, which ended up being the final score of the night.
The Oilers return to action Saturday night when they travel to Memphis to take on the RiverKings. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. |
