Oilers @ Grizzlies Tonight: Game Preview

(Photo by Josie Vimahi)

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Tulsa Oilers @ Utah Grizzlies 7:00 MST p.m.Watch on ECHL-TV

Listen on 1320 KFAN

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

3-2-0-0

TEAM CAPSULES

Tulsa Oilers

Overall: 32-25-3-2 (69 points)

Home: 21-8-3-1

Road: 11-17-0-1

Rank: 3rd in Central Division

Utah Grizzlies

Overall: 34-25-3-3 (73 points)

Home: 19-9-1-3

Road: 15-16-2-0

Rank: 2nd in West Division

OILERS LEADERS

Goals:  Phil Brewer – 22

Assists:  Dennis Brown – 28

Points: Adam Pleskach – 43

+/-:  Dennis Brown +15

PIM: Mathieu Gagnon – 149

GRIZZLIES LEADERS

Goals:  Alex Krushelnyski, Barry Almeida – 23

Assists: Charles Sarault – 39

Points:  Charles Sarault – 56

+/-:  Matt Berry, +12

PIM:  Cody Ferriero – 70

TONIGHT’S MATCHUPThe Oilers are in West Valley City, Utah contending against the Grizzlies in what is a three-game series. When the two met up earlier in the Maverick Center this season, the Oilers were defeated 5-2. This was not the case on Wednesday when Tulsa came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in a shootout. Tonight Tulsa (69 points) will battle to catch up to Utah (73 points) in the ECHL Standings.

ROAD TO KELLYAfter Wednesday’s win, the Tulsa Oilers are eighth in the Western Conference Standings—just one point above the Quad City Mallards. With their last four wins, Tulsa has pulled ahead and currently holds the last playoff slot.  The Oilers have an opportunity to earn another four points against the Grizzles.

Next week the Oilers will host the Colorado Eagles. The Eagles are seventh and only one point ahead of Tulsa. They will play next Tuesday and Wednesday for their final matchups with one another in the regular season.

POWER HOUSEWhen in the BOK Center, the Oilers bring it. In their own home, the Oilers are second in the ECHL on the power play. Tulsa may be in last place on the road with the man advantage but at home they have 21.1% just behind the Fort Wayne Komets. They have 19 total power play goals on 90 attempts in 33 games at the BOK Center.

MOOSE MOVESMonday the Manitoba Moose recalled forward Ben Walker. Walker, 22, returned to the Moose after skating in four games with them where he produced 4 penalty minutes. The Edina, Minnesota native has suited up in 36 contest with the Oilers–logging 11 points (7 goals and 4 assists). The Moose still have Oilers’ leading goal scorer, Dan DeSalvo, on loan. DeSalvo, on a contact with Tulsa, made his AHL debut 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 seven games, the forward has four points.

EXTRA DROPSThe Oilers are fifth in the ECHL in shots against with a 27.87 percentage… Kevin Carr is tenth among goaltenders with a 2.26 goals against average and third in minutes with 2498… Phil Brewer is tied at third among rookies with 22 goals…