Oilers @ Americans Today: Game Preview

(Photo by Kevin Pyle – www.photopyle.com) 

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Tulsa Oilers @ Allen Americans 4:05 p.m.Watch on ECHL-TV

Listen on Ustream

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

9-5-0-0

All-time: 27-36-5

TEAM CAPSULES

Tulsa Oilers

Overall: 30-25-3-2 (65 points)

Home: 21-8-3-1

Road: 9-17-0-1

Rank: 3rd in Central Division

Allen Americans

Overall: 36-21-3-4 (79 points)

Home: 19-7-2-2

Road: 17-14-1-2

Rank: 2nd in Central Division

OILERS LEADERS

Goals:  Phil Brewer – 21

Assists:  Dennis Brown – 27

Points: Adam Pleskach – 42

+/-:  Dennis Brown +14

PIM: Mathieu Gagnon – 142

AMERICANS LEADERS

Goals:  Chad Costello – 23

Assists: Chad Costello – 67

Points:  Chad Costello – 90

+/-:  Mike Gunn, +7

PIM: Dyson Stevenson – 93

TONIGHT’S MATCHUPLast night the Oilers and Americans met up in the BOK Center where a seven-round shootout determined a Tulsa victory. Ben Walker inked the shootout winner while Oilers’ Phil Brewer and Americans’ Chad Costello each earned a goal and assist. Tulsa is now 9-5-0-0 against the Americans.

Of the five meetings in Allen, the Oilers have been defeated by the Americans three times but have taken two from them. The Oilers will fight to increase their 65 points to 67 in order to be within 12 of the former Kelly Cup Champions.

ROAD TO KELLYThe Oilers have lost their playoff position status. The Mallards hold the 8th place spot with 66 points as the Oilers trail with 63, four points ahead of the Indy Fuel. Out of the remaining 13 games, the Oilers play three that are within ten points (Quad City Mallards, Colorado Eagles and Utah Grizzlies). Tulsa controls their own destiny as they look to get back in the race to the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

SPECIAL TEAMSThe Oilers penalty kill has maintained success throughout the season until recently. In each of their last six games, Tulsa has given up at least one goal against to the opposing team on the power play.

On the road, the Oilers may be in dead last at 28th on the power play, but at home they are 5th. Tulsa returns to the BOK Center this weekend to utilize their 20 percent on the man advantage status.

MOOSE MOVESLast week the Oilers were re-assigned forward Ben Walker and lost Brennan Serville and Dan DeSalvo to the Manitoba Moose, the Oilers American Hockey League affiliate. DeSalvo, on a contact with Tulsa, made his AHL debut with the Moose on Wednesday night with the Moose where he produced an assist. In his second game, DeSlavo tallied his first AHL goal against the Grand Rapids Giffins on Friday, March 11. In four games, the forward has four points.

DOilers Dennis Brown ranks 10th among ECHL defenseman with 32 points, notching 5 goals and 27 assists in 56 games played. His 27 assists rank him third among his fellow defenseman. The Cypress, California native’s last point came on March 4 against the Evansville IceMen.

EXTRA DROPSKevin Carr is 11th among goaltenders with a 2.26 goals against average and 2nd in minutes with 2498… Phil Brewer is 16th among rookies with 37 points (21 goals and 16 assist).. The Oilers head to Utah this weekend to tame the Grizzlies on Wedneday, Friday and Saturday…