TULSA, OK–The Tulsa Oilers returned home to the amazing BOK Center Tuesday night after a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Mississippi on Saturday night. The team facing them would be the only team left in the Central Hockey League who has yet to suffer a loss in regulation time, the brand new Allen (TX) Americans.
The Oilers have a serious fire underneath them as they are off to one of their best starts in several years at 4-2-0, with three wins at home and a developing superstar in forward Rob Hisey. The 5-9, 175 center from Oakville Ontario recently won top honors as the CHL’s Oakley Player of the Week last week after the two games he was in netted him 3 goals and four assists. In all, Hisey took part in 7 of the nine goals scored by Tulsa in the win at home and loss on the road.
Tulsa opened the scoring at 4:47 of the first period on the second goal in as many games by Rick Kozak, assisted by Aaron Davis and Jake Riddle. That was followed by a goal by T.J. Caig , who slammed home the rebound of a shot from Rob Hisey in the slot at 18:51, and Hisey followed that with a goal of his own about a minute later. Hisey simply tucked the disc behind Americans goalie Charlie Effinger on his left side
The final goal of the night came from Tom Maldonado at 1:39 on an assist from Brett Pilkington and that closed out the scoring for the Oilers as they entered a protect mode. Oilers goalie Kevin Armstrong was absolutely stellar in the net, coming up big when the team needed it. One save stood out in the first period where Armstrong saved a shot on one side of the goal and slid across to cover the return shot. Armstrong stopped all 32 shots fired at him while his opponent only stopped 28 of the 32 Tulsa shot at him.
The Oilers as a team completely dominated the game tonight, attacking constantly, and showing toughness and speed throughout. Tulsa travels to North Richland Hills Texas for their first meeting with the defending champions of the league last season, the Texas Brahmas at the NYTEX Sports Centre at 7:30 on Saturday, the back to Desoto Mississippi for another round with the Riverkings next Monday night. The Oilers don’t return to the BOK Center until November 13th when they take on Rapid City.
Tickets for all home games are on sale at the Oilers office on 46th street between Mingo and Memorial, the BOK Center, and all Reasors locations.
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Photos: Kevin Pyle