TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers bounced back in more ways than one on Tuesday night but pulled out a 4-2 victory over the visiting Texas Brahmas in front of 3,944 at the BOK Center. The young Oilers were down by a goal on two occasions and had a goal disallowed but still managed to find a path to victory.
Texas forward Jordan Kary opened the scoring at the 7:41 mark of the first period when he poked a rebound past Ian Keserich. T.J. Fox was in on the assist. Tulsa answered just five minutes later when Mike Ullrich fed the puck to Jeff Terminesi, whose wrist shot breezed past the blocker of Mark Guggenberger to even it up at 1-1.
The Oilers had a narrow lead in shots at 10-9 during the opening frame.
Chad Woollard continued his strong play for Texas and gave his squad a 2-1 lead early in the middle period off a pass from Calin Wild.
Later in the frame, David Solway’s blast from the high slot appeared to beat Guggenberger, but was quickly waved off by referee Mark-Andre Lavoie. The Oilers could have been crushed by the call but instead responded with a brilliant individual effort from Ryan Cramer, who went hard to the net and slid the puck underneath Guggenberger. Sean Erickson and Marty Standish were credited with the assists.
Shots were even at 11 apiece in the second and the score remained knotted at 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Solway got his justice in the third period when he took a pass from Sean Erickson and snapped the puck through the legs of Guggenberger to give the Oilers their first lead of the evening at 3-2. Gary Steffes was also in on the assist.
Tulsa goalie Ian Keserich made one of his finest saves of the season when he lunged across the goal mouth to make a stick save on Woollard and keep his side in front. From there, the Oilers shut the door and Michel Beausoleil and Marty Standish teamed up to cap off the victory with an empty net tally that crossed the line with one second left in regulation.
The win moved Tulsa (12-8-2) past Texas (11-8-3) and into third place in the Berry Conference standings. The Oilers are now 8-2-2 at home this season.
Pro Hockey News’ Les Stockton photographed all the action at the BOK Center on Tuesday night and has submitted the following images from the contest.
Brahmas goalie Mark Guggenberger prepares to make a save.
Brahmas defenseman Jim Burichin pressures the Oilers%27 Dylan Clarke.
Tulsa%27s David Solway during a break in the action. Solway has had points in eight straight games.
David Solway waits for the puck after sending Brahmas defenseman Jim Burichin to the ice.
The Oilers%27 Ryan Kramer takes possession of the puck.
Ryan Kramer%27s second period goal as seen by Brahmas goalie Mark Guggenberger.
Texas%27 Calin Wild moves the puck.
Tulsa%27s David Solway after scoring the game-winning goal.
The Oilers will now make their longest road trip of the season as they travel to Prescott Valley, Arizona for a pair of games against the Sundogs on Friday and Saturday.
Contact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com
Contact the editor at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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