The Tulsa Oilers went 0-3 last week in the Central Hockey League, with road losses at Missouri, Allen, and Fort Worth.
New Year’s Eve against the Mavericks, Tulsa fired 35 shots on net but was unable to put the puck past Missouri goalie Mike Clemente in a 1-0 loss. The Oilers were shutout for the third time this season and have lost each of their last six visits to the Independence Events Center. Ben Gordon led all skaters with nine shots on goal while rookie netminder Shane Madolora finished with 33 saves in the loss.
Friday in Allen, the Oilers opened 2013 with their eleventh straight road loss in a 6-2 setback at the hands of the Americans. Ben Gordon gave Tulsa an early lead with a powerplay marker just two minutes into the first period, but Allen responded with five unanswered goals to put the contest out of reach. Oilers heavyweight Daniel Amesbury fought twice while defensemen Gio Flamminio and Sean Erickson also dropped their gloves in a heated, physical, and entertaining game.
The Oilers finished their North Texas swing on Saturday with a 6-3 loss to Fort Worth. For a second straight night, Tulsa surrendered five consecutive goals and the Brahmas took control of the game early in the third period. Gary Steffes chipped in a pair of goals and Ryan Cramer added a late tally for the Oilers who lost their fifth in a row to Fort Worth. Sean Erickson recorded three assists as the Oilers fell to 9-22-3 overall and 3-16-0 on the road.
Sitting in last place in the league standings, Tulsa is 11 points out of a playoff spot with 32 games remaining. The Oilers have lost 13 of their last 14 games and have earned only five points since the beginning of December. A .500 team at home so far this season (6-6-3), the Oilers will play nine of their next 12 games in the BOK Center.
Tulsa plays its fourth straight game on the road this Friday at Missouri, before finishing the weekend with a pair of home games against Bloomington and Fort Worth.
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