Mathematically eliminated.

TULSA, Okla. — Once again, the faithful of the Oiler nation in Tulsa Oklahoma are scratching their collective heads as the Central Hockey League season draws to it’s close.  The Tulsa Oilers have been eliminated from post-season play.   Again.
Once a dominant force in the league when it was reborn in 1992, now it’s not even a shell of it’s former self.  Many of the diehards are asking for answers 
This season was to be a one where years of frustration were to turn 180 degrees and head back in the right direction.  Under the guidance of Dan Hodge and with a list of promising rookies and known veterans on the

roster, plus the added bonus of being able to play in the leagues newest and most luxurious arenas would help lead the charge towards reclaiming the glory of years past.
But, it all fell apart.  In a league where slow starts can spell disaster at seasons end the Tulsa squad did just that, dropping a season opener in a shootout to the Blazers on the road and a somewhat embarassing 3 goal loss loss to the Oklahoma City team in front of the largest crowd to witness professional hockey in Tulsa history a week later at the brand new BOK Center.
The all-important first home victory did eventually come, but as the Oilers fans celebrated in the minds of many it looked as if it was going to be another same-old-same-old scenario, where inconsistant play and stupid mistakes would spell another long summer that would start weeks earlier than those of the fans of the playoff teams in the CHL.
Postive change is on the horizon, however.  In January, after a dismal first half of the season where the Oilers were lucky to have won more than 10 games the management sent Coach Dan Hodge packing.  After a few games with GM (and former Oiler himself) Taylor Hall behind the bench, the management of the team reached back into team history and hired former Oilers goalie Tony Martino to helm the team. 
Martino has coached in the CHL before, (in New Mexico from 2001-2002), and led the WPHL New Mexico team to the finals in 2000.   His hiring didn’t change much in the immediate sense but it bodes well for the future.  Once he has a full summer to recruit the Oilers team he envisions the possibility is there for the Oilers to ascend once again into the area of domination that they once enjoyed. 
Contact the author at: rich.lohman@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com,