Tulsa, Okla. — Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, and powered by Community Care, walk away with a 4-3 overtime win on the road against Wichita to begin exhibition play.
Tulsa began the preseason scoring via a turnover by Wichita in their own zone, leading to a back-door feed from Nick Nardella to Kyle Kukkonen, who slammed it home on the left wing side at the 7:37 mark of the opening frame to make it 1-0 Tulsa. Mike McKee recorded the secondary helper. Tulsa added to their lead after Zach Taylor placed a perfect saucer pass on the tape of Caiden Gault, springing him on a breakaway, in which he snapped the puck past the blocker of Connor Hasley to make it 2-0 Oilers at the 13:19 mark of period one. Caleb Huffman picked up a secondary assist on Tulsa’s second goal. Wichita cut the game in half to end the first frame with a score of 2-1 Tulsa.
Wichita found the lone goal of the second period via a deflected puck just rising above the glove of Jake Sibell to make it 2-2 at the 12:50 mark of the second.
The Thunder took their first lead of the game on a shot from the low slot by Ethan Scardina beating Vladislav Bryzgalov to make it 3-2 Wichita 1:23 into the frame. Ethan Benz slammed in the puck from behind the net after a turnover in the trapezoid to even the game at 3-3, 10:05 into the final regulation period.
The game went to overtime and 2:41 into the extra period, Jonny Hooker roofed a near-side top-shelf wrist shot along the left-wing side to seal the Oilers’ 4-3 win.
Tulsa faces Allen on Saturday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m. CT at WStreet Ice Center to wrap up preseason play.
The Tulsa Oilers begin the regular season hosting the Allen Americans on October 17 at the BOK Center. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.
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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