PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: Oilers fall to Grizzlies 3-1

TULSA, Okla. – Thursday night in Tulsa ended with an Oilers 3-1 loss to the Utah Grizzlies. The home team struck first to get things rolling but three unanswered Grizzlie goals would seal Tulsa’s record 21-17-2-2.

Fans in the BOK Center were not the only ones thirsty on $1 beer night as both the Oilers and Grizzlies performed a fast and aggressive first frame. With opportunities plenty for each squad, the Oilers would knock first and the Grizzlies would answer twice.

A well-worked puck by Dan DeSalvo would be placed across the ice for Emerson Clark who slapped it past goaltender Ryan Faragher.

The Clark goal celebration was cut short when only 50 seconds later, the Grizzlies bit back. Charles Sarault would put in a one-timer from the right circle–Ryan Misiak and Phil Pietroniro were credited with assists.

The 16:52 mark would be Utah goal number two and their first lead of the night, 2-1. With a scramble in front of Kevin Carr, three Grizzlies went back and forth before Charles Sarault finally got a piece of the puck that got behind the Oilers’ netminder.

Aside from three power plays (one for Tulsa, two for Utah) that neither team produced on, the second frame stayed tame.

Utah extended their lead in the third period at 10:58 when Carr came out of the goal to cut off the puck and was beaten by Ryan Walters.

The contest would go in favor of the Utah Grizzlies as they notched a 3-1 victory and took the lead in the series with Tulsa, 2-1-0-0.

The Oilers and Grizzlies will meet again on Saturday in the BOK Center for Tulsa’s 8th Annual Pink in the Rink night sponsored by TD Williamson benefitting Turn Tulsa Pink.

With Tulsa Oilers release

Contact the photographer: Les.Stockton@prohockeynews.com