Evan Weinger put the Murray’s team on the board first, scoring at 4:24 of the first period, on a break away goal assisted by Karl Boudrias.
As fans are accustomed to with these two squads, things got rough mid-way through the opening period. Tulsa’s Andrew Jarvis squared off with Allen’s Mikael Robidoux near center ice after a scrum along the boards. The two would receive five minute fighting majors, with Robidoux leaving the penalty box to seek treatment for a possible injury sustained during the scrap.
The Oilers took a 1-0 lead into the locker room after the first 20-minutes, while holding an 8-4 shot advantage.
The Americans struck quickly in the second, scoring on a Hank Crone power play goal 32-seconds into the period to tie it, 1-1. Crone’s first goal of the season came on assists from Liam Finlay and Colton Saucerman.
Max Golod broke the tie on a break away at 7:59, with assists coming from Jack Doremus and Jarvis. Golod carried the puck ahead, into the Allen zone, before releasing a snap shot from above the right circle that beat Allen’s Luke Peressini to make it a 2-1 Tulsa lead.
Tulsa held a 19-11 shot advantage heading into the second intermission after both teams were unable to score on 5-on-3 chances.
Jimmy Soper gave the Oilers a two-goal lead just 14-seconds into the third period, tapping home a cross-crease pass from Jackson Leef to make it 3-1.
Allen pulled back within a goal at 4:27 on a strike by Finlay, assisted by Jack Combs. Finlay took control of a pass and fired a shot past Tulsa’s Daniel Mannella from inside the right circle to pull to 3-2.
The Americans tied the game 3-3 at 10:12 on a goal from Zach Pochiro with assists going to Colton Hargrove.
The Oilers went up 4-3 just two minutes later on a power play goal from Dylan Sadowy, assisted by Golod and Leef. Sadowy fired a rising shot from the left circle, beating Peressini high, stick side at 12:33 to give Tulsa another one goal lead.
From there, Tulsa’s defense would hold on and the Oilers would claim the first game of the new campaign by a score of 4-3.
Tulsa out-shot Allen 30-21 on the night, while each team would tally one power play goal (Tulsa 1-of-5, Allen 1-of-6).
Mannella (W) stopped 18-of-21 shots, while Peressini (L) stopped 26-of-30 shots.
Tulsa travels to Independence, Missouri to take on the Kansas City Mavericks, while Allen travels to Wichita to take on the Thunder on Saturday night.
Tulsa’s next home game is Saturday, November 5, when they welcome arch-rival Wichita to the BOK Center.
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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