OILERS QUIET THUNDER 7-2 INFIRST ROAD WIN OF SEASON
Tulsabounces back in big way, defeats Wichita 7-2 while outshooting the Thunder 50-21.
WICHITA, KS — The Oilers picked up their first road win ofthe season, defeating the Thunder 7-2 at INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday.
RobbyJacksongave the Oilers the first goal of the contest for just the fourth time thisseason, rifling a centering pass from captain Adam Pleskach on the powerplay 16:58 into the game. The Oilers closed out the opening period with 18shots.
Tulsa continued ramping up the pressure, and Jacksonfound the back of the net for the second time. The rookie product of St.Cloud State displayed game-changing patience, freezing Gillam with somemesmerizing stickhandling after receiving the puck from the corner just2:28 into the middle frame. Jared Thomas scored his first of the season,firing the puck into the back of the net 10:02 into the period after Sampairfound him with a cross-zone pass whilst on the penalty kill. Brent Gates,Jr. extended the lead to 4-0, blasting a one-time shot past Gillam off atwo-on-one opportunity, courtesy of Oilers’ leading scorer J.J. Piccinich.
Beau Starrett brought the game to 4-1, scoringback-door off a two-on-one play 3:16 into the period. Tulsa answered quickly,with Tesink scoring 1:31 later via a double deflection from Gatesand Cam Knight. Luke Shiplo made it 5-2 at the 7:25 mark of the period.Gates restored the Oilers’ four-goal lead at the 9:09 mark of the period withhis second goal of the night. Tesink closed out the scoring on thenight, hooking up with fellow Memorial Cup champion Piccinich in frontof the net with 9:11 left in the contest.
Tulsa returns home to play Rapid City on Friday andSaturday at the BOK Center. Saturday night is Autism Awareness night, inpartnership with Safelite and Autism Tulsa. The Oilers will be wearingspecialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game in the ONEOK Club.