Quick Start, Strong Goaltending Guide Steelheads to Victory in Series Opener

QUICK START, STRONG GOALTENDING GUIDE STEELHEADS TO VICTORY IN SERIES OPENER

Idaho’s Bryan Thomson halted 38 of 40 shots and Lincoln Erne added three points in a 4-2 Steelheads’ victory

TULSA, Okla. —The Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls and powered by Community Care, fell 4-2 to the Idaho Steelheads at the BOK Center on Friday night.   

Will Merchant opened the scoring 8:53 into the game, tipping a point shot from Lincoln Erne in the low slot to set Idaho up 1-0. Erne added a tally of his own at the 12:23 mark, navigating a point shot through traffic and Julian Junca to give Idaho a two-goal lead. Dante Sheriff cut Idaho’s lead to 2-1 1:38 later, corralling a bouncing, two-line pass from Tyler Poulsen before outwaiting Bryan Thomson on a tuck. 

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, with Tulsa outshooting the Steelheads for the second-straight period.

Jade Miller seized momentum for Idaho with a goal 42 seconds into the final frame. Wade Murphy and company then capitalized off a turnover 6:07 later, securing Murphy’s team-leading 21^st goal of the season and a 4-1 score in favor of the Steelheads. Jared Power netted his second as an Oiler in just his third game, closing the 4-2 Steelheads victory with 2:34 remaining.

The Oilers return for a rematch tomorrow, Jan. 27 at 7:05 p.m. at the BOK Center for Scooby-Doo Night. The Oilers will be wearing specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off in the Riverspirit Lounge directly after the game.