Tulsa Oilers defenseman Sean Erickson rips a shot on goal at the BOK Center on Saturday. KEVIN PYLE / for The Tulsa World
The Wichita Thunder is a team Tulsa hockey fans love to hate.
The rivalry has long produced some of the best-attended games and Saturday was no exception. But even the 6,346 in attendance at the BOK Center for Fan Appreciation Night were not enough to give the Oilers (22-38-5) the advantage they needed and the Thunder (38-19-8) skated home with a 5-2 Central Hockey League victory.
"I thought we battled them pretty hard," said Oilers coach Bruce Ramsay. "We had our chances. I know (Shane) Madolora would like to have some of those goals back. He has been a stand up (goalie) all season and he is bound to have a bad game here and there."
The Thunder scored first in the opening period when Kevin Young skated in unassisted to put Wichita up 1-0. Kyle O'Kane evened the score at 1-1 for the Oilers, scoring from just in front of the net with 41 seconds left in the period.
However, the Thunder broke open the game with three second-period goals then added another in the third period to extend their lead. Tulsa's second goal came at 15:07 of the second period on a breakaway by Ryan Cramer. Cramer skated in from the side boards after taking a pass from Tyler Fleck to score. But that was all the goals the Oilers could muster.
"They have a full roster and we only have 14 skaters," Ramsay said of Wichita's depth. "A lot of our best players are out but it was a lot closer than the scoreboard showed."
Sunday the Oilers will close out the CHL regular season when they host the first-place Allen Americans at the BOK Center. Game time is 4:05 p.m. Fans will be allowed to skate with the Oilers following the game. The Oilers hope to end the home season at .500 (14-14-3).
"We got one more against the number one team in the league," Ramsay said of Allen. "They are still in a battle for first place overall so we are going to face good hockey team. We have to come ready to play."
Game notes: The following awards were handed out prior to Saturday's game. Goaltender Shane Madolora (Rookie of the Year); Drew Fisher (Most Improved); Jeff Buvinow (Defensive Player of the Year); Ben Gordon (Offensive Player of the Year); Ryan Menei (Most Valuable Player); Tyler Fleck (Fan Favorite); Gary Steffes (Vic Poole Never Give Up Award); Ben Gordon (Community Service Award); Ryan Menei, Sean Erickson, Drew Fisher, Ryan Cramer (Iron Man award).
THUNDER 5, OILERS 2
| Wichita |
1 |
3 |
1 |
- |
5 |
| Tulsa |
1 |
1 |
0 |
- |
2 |
First Period: 1, Wichita, Young, 22(unassisted) 11:14. 2, Tulsa, O'Kane, 2 (Erickson, Cramer) 19:19. Penalties: Wichita, Griffith (tripping) 12:54.
Second Period: 3, Wichita, Lizon, 1 (Griffith, Young) 7:44. 4, Wichita, Painchaud, 18, (Trimm, Lowe) 8:48. 5, Tulsa, Cramer, 13 (Fleck) 15:07. 6, Wichita, Painchaud, 19 (Trimm) 18:49. Penalties: Wichita, Summers (high sticking) 3:25. Wichita, Lizon (tripping) 10:17.
Third Period: 7, Wichita, Summers, 17 (Young) 6:05. Penalties: None.
Power Plays: Wichita, 0-0. Tulsa, 0-3.
Shots: Wichita, 14-11-10 - 35. Tulsa, 10-7-11 - 28.
Saves: Wichita, Rollheiser 9-6-11 - 26. Tulsa, Madolora, 13-8-9 - 30.
Referee: Boone Bruggman. A: 6,346.
Pro - Oilers
The Tulsa Oilers will play a preseason game against the Wichita Thunder at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Wichita Ice Center.
The Tulsa Oilers signed five players - defenders Andy Willigar and Andrew Himelson and forwards Neilsson Arcibal, Kyle Leahy, and Brett Skalski.
