TULSA, Okla. – Axel Blomqvist recorded the game-winner two minutes into overtime to push Tulsa (25-17-3-2) past Wichita (10-31-5-4) by the final score of 2-1 on Valentine’s Day at the BOK Center. Wichita drops to 3-3-1-3 against the Oilers in the Stone Wolf Casino Cup Series.
Erick Lizon had the only Thunder goal of the night.
Both teams had two power play chances in the first period, but neither team could get one through. The two teams combined for just 13 shots after 20 minutes.
The second was much of the same as the first as the two teams continued to exchange power play attempts. Tulsa got on the board with just two seconds remaining as Adam Pleskach put home his own rebound for his 18th of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Early in the third, Lizon got a great feed from Domenic Alberga and buried it past Jussi Olkinuora that tied the game at one. Tulsa had several chances to take the lead, including a five-on-three power play with four minutes left. The Thunder penalty killing unit was stifling and got through both penalties. However, Dan Milan took down Jimmy Lodge at the side of the Wichita net and was sent off with under two minutes left in regulation. His penalty would carry over into overtime as the final horn rang.
In overtime, the Oilers outshot the Thunder 6-0 and got the winner off a face-off from Blomqvist at 1:58. He stepped through the circle, got to a loose puck and beat Grant Rollheiser under the blocker for the victory.
Five of the last six meetings between the Thunder and the Oilers needed more than 60 minutes. Lizon recorded his second of the season with the only assist to Alberga. Rollheiser takes the overtime loss, stopping 27 of 29 shots. Olkinuora claims the win, stopping 25 of 26 shots he faced.
Wichita was 0-for-4 on the power play. Tulsa went 0-for-7 on the man advantage.
With Wichita Thunder release
Contact the photographer: Ed.Bailey@prohockeynews.com
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