Wheeling, WV. — The Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls and powered by Community Care, surge to a 5-2 win on the road in Wheeling.
On Teddy Bear Toss Night at WesBanco Arena, the Nailers found the back of the net first courtesy of Justin Lee, who received a pass from the right-wing boards at the top of the left point and stepped into a heavy wrist shot past the blocker shoulder of Julian Junca to make it 1-0 Wheeling at the 8:03 mark of the first frame, causing the teddies to rain. Tulsa would quickly spoil the festivities, as Alec Butcher finished off an odd-man rush by snapping a far-side wrist shot past the glove hand of Jaxon Castor along the left wing to tie the game 1-1 at 8:41 into the frame. The Oilers added another in the first via Dante Sheriff on a one-touch wrister at the right point near the blueline off a tapped feed from Anthony Costantini that found its way above the glove of Castor, making it 2-1 Tulsa at the 12:57 mark of the opening period.
Tulsa extended their lead thanks to Jimmy Lodge, who took advantage of a turnover in front of the Nailers’ net and punched the puck just past Castor from a few feet out to make the score 3-1 Oilers at the 8:23 mark of the middle frame. Davis “T-Bone” Codd pushed Tulsa’s lead to 4-1 just as their power play expired, connecting on a net-side pass from Kyle Crnkovic and slamming a top-shelf goal along the right side at the 15:45 mark of the second.
Tulsa stretched out to a 5-1 lead after Tyler Poulsen had a puck deflect off of his skate from a clearing attempt by Wheeling in their own zone, which found its way on goal and past Castor at the 7:02 mark of the final period. The Nailers would add one last goal at the 15:52 mark of the third via a slapshot from the high slot by Matthew Quercia. Tulsa would go on to win 5-2.
Highlights:
- Kyle Crnkovic extends his point streak to eight games.
- Tyler Poulsen became the first Oilers player to reach 10 goals this season.
- Alec Butcher scored against his former team.
- Tulsa had five unique goal scorers.
The Oilers continue their Central Division tour, with a 3:10 p.m. CT matchup against the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena on Sunday, Dec. 10.
Oilers Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the Oilers front office at 918-632-PUCK (7825) or visit www.tulsaoilers.com for more information.
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