TULSA, Okla. – Alex Dostie netted a hat trick, while Ryan Tesink added a pair of goals as the Tulsa Oilers romped on the gas early and coasted to an ECHL Mountain Division Semi Final Series-clinching win over the visiting Kansas City Mavericks in front of a loud crowd of 3,098 on Wednesday night at BOK Center.
Tesink got things started for Tulsa, taking a pass from Steven Kaunisto and beating Kansas City goalie Mason McDonald on the backhand 13:33 into the opening period.
The Mavericks answered back to tie things up two minutes later when Jared VanWormer threw a puck off of Oilers goaltender Devin Williams from the corner. Assists went to Corey Durocher and Cliff Watson.
The Oilers answered back at 17:24 when Adam Pleskach sent home a cross-ice pass from Stephen Perfetto on the power play to make it 2-1.
Dostie and Tesink each found the net early in the middle frame, adding a goal each just 41-seconds apart to give the Oilers a 4-1 lead with 18:44 left. Dostie kicked off the outburst 35-seconds into the period, grabbing a rebounded Perfetto shot and knocking the puck into the left side of the net. Tesink added his second of the game at 1:16, re-directing a Jared Thomas shot past McDonald to up the lead to three.
Darian Dziurzynski pulled the Mavericks back within two with a power play goal from Rocco Carzo and Greg Betzold 3:07 into the third period.
Kansas City, however, would not be able to get any closer as Williams locked down, making several key saves down the stretch and Dostie closed out his hat trick bid to widen the margain of victory.
Dostie’s second score came on a rush at 4:38, as he poked the puck through the five hole on assists from Perfetto and Dylan Bredo to make it 5-2. He then added a power play goal at 16:53, collecting the puck off of a defender and scoring from the right side of the net to make it 6-2 and send a sea of hats onto the ice.
With the hat trick, Dostie sits atop the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs goal scoring ranks with nine goals.
“Alex Dostie is a difference maker,” said Oilers Head Coach Rob Murray following the win. “It took him a while to get used to the ECHL level, and now that he’s got it, he’s playing awesome. I know that he’s absolutely enjoying this now and he’s a great asset for us to have,” he added.
Murray told his team earlier in the series to limit penalties, and despite surrendering one goal on the penalty kill, he was pleased with his team’s effort.
“We talked about that through the whole series. It was a well-played, clean game by us and it was well deserved,” Murray Said.
Kansas City was 1-for-2 on the man advantage, while Tulsa was 2-3 in game seven.
Overall, the Oilers coach was pleased with his team’s play in the series, particularly the last two games.
“It was a team effort and a lot of great efforts by a lot of guys. I can honestly say we deserved tonight’s game. Either team could’ve won any of the first six, but tonight, I thought that we definitely had the leg up,” Murray said.
The Oilers will use Thursday for an optional practice and Murray will prepare a scouting report as they now look ahead to a best-of-seven Mountain Division Final Series with the Idaho Steelheads. The two teams split the regular season series 5-5.
Idaho has the advantage of being well-rested after closing out it’s opening round series with the Utah Grizzlies last Saturday. However, the Oilers will once again enjoy home ice in the series.
“Idaho’s been off for five or six days, so we’ve got to lick some wounds and get ready to play on Friday,” Murray said.
The Oilers host the Steelheads at 7:05pm CDT Friday at BOK Center.
ECHL Mountain Division Final Series Schedule
Game 1: Idaho @ Tulsa, Friday, April 26 7:05pm CDT
Game 2: Idaho @ Tulsa, Sunday, April 28 4:05pm CDT
Game 3: Tulsa @ Idaho, Tuesday, April 30 7:10pm MDT
Game 4: Tulsa @ Idaho, Wednesday, May 1 7:10pm MDT
*Game 5: Tulsa @ Idaho, Friday, May 3 7:10pm MDT
*Game 6: Idaho @ Tulsa, Sunday, May 5 4:05pm CDT
*Game 7: Idaho @ Tulsa, Monday, May 6 7:05pm CDT
* – If necessary
Contact the Writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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