Tulsa picked up wins in all four contests, pushing their record to 11-2-2-2 (26 points) and pulling them within one point of the Mountain Division leading Utah Grizzlies (12-2-3-0, 27 points).
St. Louis Blues prospect Evan Fitzpatrick is 6-0-0-2 with the Tulsa Oilers / Photo by Les Stockton
The Oilers relied on solid goaltending from rookie Evan Fitzpatrick, who picked up three wins to improve to 6-0-0-2 on the season with a .920 save percentage and a goals allowed average of 2.19. Fitzpatrick strung together 77 saves in three-straight wins over the rival Wichita Thunder to help kick off the Oilers’ most recent winning streak.
Tulsa walked away with a 4-2 home win over the Thunder on Tuesday night, as Tyler Soy (1G, 2A) and Steven Kaunisto (1G, 1 A) each enjoyed a multiple point night in the second meeting of the season between the two long-time rivals. Tied 2-2 heading into the final frame, Kaunisto netted the game winning goal at 3:53, while Soy added his first professional goal just under three minutes later to solidify the lead.
The Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder battle on BOK Center ice recently. Tulsa holds a 4-0 lead in the season series between the two long-time rivals. Photo by Les Stockton
It was nearly the same the following night in Wichita, as the Oilers and Thunder entered the third period tied 2-2 before the Oilers scored three third period goals to leave enemy territory with a 5-2 win. Soy, along with Alex Kromm and Ryan Tesink each added a goal and assist to their totals, while Fitzpatrick stopped 29-shots in the win.
The two squads traded goals throughout the first two periods in their return to the BOK Center on Saturday night. Jared Thomas netted an impressive shorthanded, breakaway goal 8:19 into the second, neatly tucking it into the net around the outstretched leg of Thunder goalie Stuart Skinner to give Tulsa a 3-2 lead. Just over a minute later Wichita’s Dyson Stevenson scored to tie the game heading into the third period.
Tulsa’s Dylan Bredo blasted a one-timer from high in the slot past Skinner at 15:33 of the third to give the Oilers a 4-3 lead. Soy followed up with an empty net goal with 10-seconds remaining to give the Oilers a 5-3 win.
Sunday afternoon saw the Oilers hosting the Kansas City Mavericks while holding a one-point lead in the division race over the visitors. By the time the sun sat over the BOK Center, the Oilers had claimed a 3-2 win and increased their point total by two.
After allowing a pair of first period goals, Tulsa’s Devin Williams stepped up and protected the net, despite drawing contact inside the crease on more than one occasion. Williams posted 29 saves on 31 shots, en route to his fifth win of the season. Kyle Rhodes broke a 2-2 tie 15:09 into the second period on a blast from above the left circle. That would be all the difference that the Oilers would need, as they held would hold on to secure a 3-2 win.
With that win, Tulsa has won seven of its last eight games. With just two regulation losses this season, the Oilers have picked up standings points in 16 of their 17 games.
The Oilers play host to the division rival Allen Americans (4-13-0-2) Tuesday night at 7:05pm. They head out on the road for a pair of games at Kansas City on Friday.
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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