TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers entered Sunday afternoon’s game against Rio Grande Valley looking for a remedy to their recent offensive woes. After scoring just four goals in the last four games, Tulsa had four on the board in the first nine minutes of the first period in a 9-6 win over the Killer Bees in front of 4,620 at the BOK Center.
Jeff Terminesi and Dylan Clarke scored seven seconds apart just over three minutes into the proceedings. David Solway and Gerome Giudice found the twine to give the Oilers four goals on their first seven shots of the game.
Marty Standish scored early in the middle frame to put the Oilers up 5-1, but Rio Grande Valley charged back. The Bees redirected a series of point shots and executed several nifty passing plays to improbably complete the comeback and tie the game with under a minute to go in the second period.
The deadlock only lasted 24 seconds as Mike Ullrich gave the momentum back to Tulsa by scoring his 22nd of the season and giving Tulsa a 6-5 edge heading into the third.
Thanks to a goal from Troy Ofukany and a pair from Dylan Clarke, the Oilers outscored the Bees 3-1 in the final period.
Nine goals is a season-high for Tulsa and the six goals against also ties a season-high. The victory gives the Oilers a 2-1 series triumph over Rio Grande and most importantly gives them a three-point cushion in the race for fourth place in the Berry Conference.
Pro Hockey News’ Les Stockton photographed all the action during Sunday afternoon’s game and has submitted the following images from the contest.
Tulsa%27s Tyler Fleck moves the puck while pursued by the Killer Bees%27 Dan Gendur.
Tulsa%27s Ryan Cramer collides with Killer Bees%27 goalie John Murray.
Rio Grande Valley%27s Jason Dixon heads into the fray.
Tulsa%27s Gary Steffes heads into the action.
Tulsa%27s Mike Ullrich takes possession of the puck.
The Oilers%27 Gerome Giudice makes comments to an opposing player.
Rio Grande Valley%27s Kirill Startsev readies a pass.
Members of the Tulsa Oilers take a knee in prayer following their victory.
C ontact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com
Contact the editor at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
