OILERS RETAKE SERIES LEAD OVER THUNDER WITH 6-3 WIN

OILERS RETAKE SERIES LEADOVER THUNDER WITH 6-3 WIN

Tulsawins in the first contest between these two teams at the BOK Center thisseason, bringing the series 3-2 in favor of the Oilers.

BoxScore

TULSA, OK— The Oilers turned in a stellar performance atthe BOK Center on Friday night, defeating Wichita 6-3 in the first of threegames between the two teams this weekend.

Tulsa opened the scoring with a power play goal atthe 11:11 mark of the first period. J.J. Piccinich tipped a blast from JoshWesley through the legs of Mitch Gillam, giving the Oilers the lone goal of theopening frame.

Robby Jackson picked up his eighth of the season,receiving the puck from the right-wing circle via Adam Pleskach before rippingit past the blocker of Gillam 6:11 into the middle frame. Jack Kopacka pickedup his second point of the night less than a minute later, sniping home a shotfrom the right-wing circle after Jake Clifford found him in the clear at the7:06 mark. Jackson got his second of the period, hammering home aback-door feed from Kopacka at the 15:30 mark of the second frame. PatrickParkkonen scored his second of the season series, and third of the season,blasting a shot from the point past Devin Williams and into the top of the cage 1:22after Jackson’s goal, bringing the game to 4-1.

Wesley wasted no time in the final frame,  launching a Thunder penalty kill clearingattempt into the top of the net just  1:35into the final frame, restoring the Oilers’ four-goal lead. Ostap Safin pickedup his eighth of the year, rifling a laser inside the top-right corner of thecross bar 1:03 past the halfway point of the third period. Cameron Hebig scoredhis fifth just 12 seconds later, stuffing home a short-side chance to make the game5-3.  Kopacka gave the Oilers some breathing space at the 17:15 mark, closingout the scoring with a low snipe he created by blocking a shot just inside hisown blue line before ripping it to the top of the left-wing circle.

Tulsa plays host to the Thunder on back-to-backdays, squaring off on Saturday for the Oilers’ annual Teddy Bear Toss andAffiliation night before a Sunday matinee Paint The Ice matchup at 4:05 p.m.Sunday.