TULSA, Okla. – After logging nearly 3,000 miles and two full days on a bus during a six-day span, the Tulsa Oilers returned to the BOK Center and punched their ticket to the ECHL Western Conference Final with a 3-1 win over the Idaho Steelheads in front of a rowdy crowd of 3,260 fans on Sunday night.
Tulsa got one goal in each period, as they out-shot Idaho for just the second time in the six-game series. Goalie Devin Williams (8-5) stopped 27-of-28 shots, while Ryan Tesink scored his third goal of the postseason and Adam Pleskach added a pair, including the game-winner in what Oilers Head Coach Rob Murray called his team’s best effort of the Mountain Division Final Series.
“I thought that was our most complete game of the whole series, and it was very timely for us,” said Murray.
Tesink got the Oilers on the board first, sending home a rebound from the bottom of the left circle past the out-stretched Tomas Sholl 2:41 into the opening period. Eric Drapluk and Tanner Kaspick picked up assists on the score.
Robbie Payne found the equalizer just under five-minutes later, pouncing on an Oilers turnover at the blue line and scoring five-hole on a breakaway at 7:28.
After 10-minutes of scoreless play in the middle frame, Pleskach took a long pass from Steven Kaunisto and skated in on net, releasing a shot that beat Sholl top shelf to make it a 2-1 lead.
The Oilers appeared to score again at 7:06 of the third period when Scott Henegar poked in the puck from the right side of Sholl. The goal, however, was waived off and the Oilers would have to wait until the closing minutes before scoring an insurance goal.
The play was the sixth disallowed Tulsa goal in the last three games.
With Sholl pulled for an extra skater, Pleskach added his sixth goal of the series with 1:33 remaining to mark the final tally of 3-1.
After playing six games in the last nine days, the Oilers will receive some well-deserved rest before reloading for the upcoming Western Conference Final with the Toledo Walleye. Game one in that series is Friday in Toledo.
ECHL Western Conference Final Schedule
Game 1: Tulsa at Toledo, Friday, May 10 @ 7:35pm ET
Game 2: Tulsa at Toledo, Sunday, May 12 @ 5:15pm ET
Game 3: Toledo at Tulsa, Wednesday, May 15 @ 7:05pm CT
Game 4: Toledo at Tulsa, Friday, May 17 @ 7:05pm CT
*Game 5: Toledo at Tulsa, Saturday, May 18 @ 7:05pm CT
*Game 6: Tulsa at Toledo, Monday, May 20 @ 7:35pm ET
*Game 7: Toledo at Tulsa, Wednesday, May 22 @ 7:05pm CT
Contact the Writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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