Oilers Crush Ice 6-2
Ossachuk Scores Twice as Tulsa Extends Win Streak to Two
February 26, 2003
by Janna Kinder  TulsaHockey.net

The Tulsa Oilers extended their winning streak to two games, soundly defeating the Indianapolis Ice 6-2 Wednesday night at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Oiler netminder Rod Branch, named the game's number three star, stopped 26 of 28 shots, improving his record to 27-14-5 for the year.

Tulsa forward Justin Ossachuk played a large part in the Oiler's offensive explosion, scoring two goals and tallying an assist to earn the number one star of the game.

The victory over the Ice keeps Tulsa in the thick of the Northern Conference playoff hunt.

CHL Standings as of February 26, 2003

On a delayed Ice penalty, Tulsa's Klage Kaebel broke into the Indianapolis zone and fired a laser from just inside the blue line, beating Ice netminder Shawn Silver gloveside at 12:11 of the first period. Kaebel's 10th goal of the season was assisted by veteran defenseman Neil Wilkinson and forward Derek Toninato.

With Indy's Randy Holmes in the box for roughing, the Oilers grabbed a 2-0 lead at 19:44 of the first when Ossachuk, who was camped in the crease area, deflected Wilkinson's shot from the high slot past Silver and into the net for his 21st goal of the season. Todd Marcellus received the second assist on the power play goal.

The Ice cut the Oiler lead to 1 at 1:41 of the second period when Holmes wristed a shot from the right circle that sneaked inside the left post, beating Branch stickside for his 11th goal of the season.

Tulsa regained a 2 goal lead on a low blast from the left wing by defenseman Mike Mohr, assisted by Toninato, at 4:10 of the second.

The Oilers increased their lead to 4-1 at 4:06 of the third period when Aaron Millar sent a pass from the left circle to Ossachuk in the mid slot, who in turn launched a quick wrister into the bottom right corner of the Indianapolis net for his second goal of the game.

Tulsa went up 5-1 when rookie defenseman Jordon Flodell drove a high shot from just inside the blue line into the back of the twine, beating a screened Silver at 9:24 of the third for his 6th goal of the season. Assists went to Marcellus and Ossachuk.

The Ice answered at 12:54 of the third when Jason Baird wristed a shot from inside the left circle past Branch for a power play goal, cutting Tulsa's lead to 3.

Under two minutes later, Tulsa responded by taking a commanding 6-2 lead when Dallas Anderson blasted a sharp-angled shot from the right circle, beating Silver stickside at 14:32 of the third, assisted by Andrew Oke and Welsh to close out the scoring.

The Oilers return to action this Friday night when they take on the Wichita Thunder for a 7:35 p.m. faceoff at the Tulsa Convention Center.

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