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Oilers bull-rushed 4-1.

Rich Lohman, Sports Editor

Coming off a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Americans in Allen, Texas last night the Oilers came back to the amazing BOK Center looking to snap a 5-game losing streak begun on November 29th when the Texas Brahmas defeated the Oilers in the NYTEX Ice Center 3-1.  Two losses to the Rapid City Rush last week, the first regulation loss to the North division leading Colorado Eagles, and Allen followed.  

  The 5 game drop is Tulsa’s longest losing streak thus far this season.  Conversely, the Brahmas were looking to extend a 5 game winning streak, their last victory coming in an overtime victory against Arizona last night.

  The Brahmas scored first, on a quick goal by Mark Kolanos at 3:53, assisted by Elias Godoy and Justin Kinnunen.  A second tally would come from Grant Jacobsen at 8:56, assisted by Godoy and Kolanos.  In the period, the Oilers looked lifeless, passing was not on target and they were chasing after the puck instead of attacking it with the intent of scoring.  The Brahmas were in firm control of the period throughout, and it was clear at the intermission that the hill before the Tulsa squad was very tall indeed.

  The Oilers came out in the second seemingly more ready to play the game, and that was proven by a shorthanded marker by Jake Riddle on a breakaway with barely two minutes elapsed in the period.  That was answered at 13:63 by Grant Jacobsen’s second goal, a quick, twice-defected shot off the faceoff past Oilers goalie Marty Magers.  By and large the Oilers continued a confused, mistake riddled trend, with plenty of mental mistakes and lots of time spent in the penalty box.  The poor performance was not lost upon Oilers coach Bruce Ramsay, who was quite animated in his frustration in the last minute of the period behind the Oilers bench.

  Ineffective play continued to hinder the Oilers in the 3rd period as their frustration grew.  The only bright spot in the period was the Oilers early termination of 2-man penalty kill, but whatever satisfaction they could cull from that was squelched in the last three minutes of the period, when Mark Kolanos struck again, this time on the power play to extend Texas lead by 3 goals.  As it was the game was downright abysmal for the boys in blue.  The game would end with the Brahmas on top 4-1, and the Oilers losing streak moving to 6 losses in a row.

  The Oilers record now stands at 12-9-1, good enough to remain in 3rd place in the CHL North over the Mississippi Riverkings, who lost tonight to Bossier Shreveport 3-1.
The Oilers return to the friendly confines of the amazing BOK tomorrow afternoon for a matinee outing with the Arizona Sundogs.  The game will be the first time the Oilers have ever played the Sundogs since their entry into the CHL four years ago.  Tomorrow will feature the Oilers annual Teddy Bear Toss, which will happen when the Oilers score their first goal of the game.  Tickets for the game tomorrow and all Oilers home games can be purchased at the BOK Center box office, tulsaoilers.com, and all Reasors locations.

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Photos: Kevin Pyle

GAME LENGTH: 2:29
ATTENDANCE: 5,152
REFEREE: Justin Greene
1ST STAR: Kolanos, Mark (TEX)
2ND STAR: Jacobsen, Grant (TEX)
3RD STAR: Godoy, Elias (TEX)

  

TSO at BOK

Ernie Osborn

Trans-Siberian Orchestra brought an array of sight, sound and passion to the BOK Center Friday night.  The spectacle, that has become a holiday tradition lit up the stage with lights, lasers and fire bombs.

Last year we had the Radio City Rockettes that kicked the Christmas season into high gear, this year went to TSO.  The mix of progressive rock, metal and classical music is quite a bit to take in but makes for a very entertaining evening.

This years event was opened by a donation to the Rise School of Stillwater.  A check in the amount of $10,157.00 was presented, $1.00 from each ticket sold was donated.  Quite a tribute to the draw of TSO as well as what the BOK Center has become and means to the surrounding area.  The Rise School provides assistance to families of Down Syndrome children.  School director Rachel Stalling was on-hand to accept the over-sized check and say thank to the audience and Trans-Siberian for their support.

As band members began to take their places on the stage blanketed in darkness a buzz filled the arena.  Something amazing was about to happen and you needed to prepare for it.  As a newcomer to the Trans-Siberian experience I really wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.  I had seen the You Tube videos that people have published of their Christmas house lights rhythmically dancing to probably TSO’s best know song "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24"  but the only other knowledge I had up to thus point was through CD.  It was a night that I would be baptized into the elegance and grace of the holiday sensation.

The stage lighting of this show is as much a part of the theatrics as the performers are.  Shifting rigging, and scissor lifts took the musicians to heights above the near cap city crowd and added amazing effects to the show.  The first half of which was set along a story of an angel flying from country to country and town to town in search of Christmas spirit, narrated by Anthony Gaynor.  Renditions of "Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Joy To the World" and songs from The Nutcracker were highlights of the evening.

As stated earlier this is mix of many different styles of music.  It had something for everyone young and old alike. 

The second half of the show featured selections from the new album, Night Castle.  A disc of non-Christmas music that featured polished voices and great theatrics from world renown vocalist.  A tour is tentatively set for the spring to support their latest effort.

I recommend taking the family next year to enjoy a new look at old classics of Christmas.

TSO at BOK

Ernie Osborn

altTrans-Siberian Orchestra brought an array of sight, sound and passion to the BOK Center Friday night.  The spectacle, that has become a holiday tradition lit up the stage with lights, lasers and fire bombs.

Last year we had the Radio City Rockettes that kicked the Christmas season into high gear, this year went to TSO.  The mix of progressive rock, metal and classical music is quite a bit to take in but makes for a very entertaining evening.

This years event was opened by a donation to the Rise School of Stillwater.  A check in the amount of $10,157.00 was presented, $1.00 from each ticket sold was donated.  Quite a tribute to the draw of TSO as well as what the BOK Center has become and means to the surrounding area.  The Rise School provides assistance to families of Down Syndrome children.  School director Rachel Stalling was on-hand to accept the over-sized check and say thank to the audience and Trans-Siberian for their support.

As band members began to take their places on the stage blanketed in darkness a buzz filled the arena.  Something amazing was about to happen and you needed to prepare for it.  As a newcomer to the Trans-Siberian experience I really wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.  I had seen the You Tube videos that people have published of their Christmas house lights rhythmically dancing to probably TSO’s best know song “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”  but the only other knowledge I had up to thus point was through CD.  It was a night that I would be baptized into the elegance and grace of the holiday sensation.

The stage lighting of this show is as much a part of the theatrics as the performers are.  Shifting rigging, and scissor lifts took the musicians to heights above the near cap city crowd and added amazing effects to the show.  The first half of which was set along a story of an angel flying from country to country and town to town in search of Christmas spirit, narrated by Anthony Gaynor.  Renditions of “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Joy To the World” and songs from The Nutcracker were highlights of the evening.

As stated earlier this is mix of many different styles of music.  It had something for everyone young and old alike. 

The second half of the show featured selections from the new album, Night Castle.  A disc of non-Christmas music that featured polished voices and great theatrics from world renown vocalist.  A tour is tentatively set for the spring to support their latest effort.

I recommend taking the family next year to enjoy a new look at old classics of Christmas.

Applebee’s Teams Up For NonProfits

Staff Reports

A local-based Applebee’s helped Jack and Jill of America raise more than $1,100 as part of the restaurant chain’s "Flapjack Fundraiser" program for nonprofits.

More than 160 people purchased the $7 tickets for the event, with all money going to support child growth and development projects.

“We are excited to help Jack and Jill of America in their efforts to raise funds and awareness for their cause,” said Michael Olander, President and CEO of Apple Gold Group. “The Flapjack Benefit Breakfast was very successful in raising funds needed to further their ongoing projects and spread the word to increase community involvement.”

 The Jack and Jill of America Flapjack Benefit Breakfast was recently hosted by the Applebee’s Restaurant located at 4733 S. Yale St. Breakfast includes a short stack of pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk.

Applebee’s is partnering with any local non-profit organization as a way to raise money for their cause. From ticket sales to event-day staff, the breakfasts are managed by the non-profit organization with the assistance of Applebee’s employee volunteers.

Breakfasts can be held on any Saturday or Sunday morning, and cost the organization around $2 a meal. The Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfasts represent the restaurant chain’s latest efforts to remain active within its local neighborhood. To request a Flapjack Breakfast to benefit your non-profit organization, please visit www.AGGrestaurants.com.

MaidPro of Tulsa Tackles the Dirt with A&E’s Hit TV Show “HOARDERS!”

Staff Reports

MaidPro of Tulsa was recently featured on A&E’s hit television series, “Hoarders.”

The series looks at people who can’t part with their belongings, to the extent they are on the verge of a personal crisis.  MaidPro partnered with Screaming Flea Productions to restore the homes featured on the show to a livable condition once the clutter was cleared.

The Dec. 7 episode, filmed in Tulsa, followed "Gail" as she cleaned up her home.  Once a disciplined ballerina, Gail’s life was falling apart because of stuff. The floors were sinking, the gas line was bent and the water pipes broken.

Goats had eaten through the siding to the back bedroom and chickens, dogs, and cats were seen roaming among the piles of clutter in the house.

 “We were incredibly privileged to help our new friend, Gail, in Tulsa,” said Greg Ford, owner of MaidPro of Tulsa. "Having a part in transforming her home was difficult, but completely rewarding. Our team made an unbelievable difference.  The walls were brighter, the hardwood floors were reconditioned, and even the appliances looked brand new after we got done with them.”    

Added Mark Kushinsky, CEO of MaidPro,  “I think this is a cause that is often overlooked and misunderstood. We wanted to contribute to the effort of spreading awareness and “Hoarders” gave us an outlet where our services are needed  … While MaidPro is not used to cleaning homes like those featured on the show, we wanted to provide our services because they are necessary for recovery.”

“Hoarders” explores the world of extreme hoarding; a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to collect things, even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary.  “Hoarders” is produced for A&E by Screaming Flea Productions. Executive Producers are Jodi Flynn, Matt Chan and Dave Severson. A&E Executive Producers are Robert Sharenow and Andy Berg. “Hoarders” Season 2 premiered Nov. 30 and the show is aired every Monday at 10 p.m. EST on A&E.     

For more on the series, click here.