FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2017
TULSA SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD AS OILERS FALL TO THUNDER
Sellout crowd of 16,753 sets new franchise record, reaches second highest mark in ECHL history, as Wichita tops Oilers 4-1.
TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Oilers returned home from nine straight road games to a sellout crowd of 16,753, but fell 4-1 Friday to the Wichita Thunder at the BOK Center, bringing the Oilers’ winless skid to nine games. The attendance number set a Tulsa attendance record and reached the second highest attended game in ECHL history.
The two teams skated through a scoreless first period with Tulsa holding a shots advantage of 13-9. Both teams were unsuccessful on two power plays in the opening frame.
The Oilers took the game’s first lead when Dennis Brown ripped a shot from the point past Wichita goaltender Drew Owsley on the power play 3:57 into the frame. The Thunder answered, when Ryan Rupert capitalized on a Thunder power play. Wichita then took its first lead on a five-minute power play late in the period, when Louick Marcotte fired a one-timer past Oilers goalie P.J. Musico with 4:57 left, giving the Thunder a 2-1 lead after two.
Rupert added a second goal late in the third period for some insurance, and Blake Tatchell picked up an empty-net goal to complete the 4-1 win.
UP NEXT: The Oilers head back to Allen, Texas Saturday for a 7:05pm battle with the Allen Americans at the Allen Event Center. Catch the action on www.tulsaoilers.com or ECHL.TV, with coverage starting at 6:50.
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