TULSA, OK – A tiebreaking goal from rookie defenseman Dylan Bredo in the final five minutes of regulation led the Tulsa Oilers (10-2-4) to a 5-3 win over the Wichita Thunder (5-8-4) Saturday on Teddy Bear Toss Night at the BOK Center.
Wichita scored its ninth power play goal in the last eight games 1:43 into Saturday’s game, as Pierre-Cedric Labrie tipped a point shot past Oilers goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick. Tulsa captain Adam Pleskach fired a wrist shot from high in the slot just 26 seconds later to tie the game 1-1, sending the Teddy Bears flying. The Thunder jumped back in front when Mark MacMillan lifted a backhander into the top of the net from the edge of the crease with 5:52 left in the frame.
Tulsa tied the game 2:49 into the second period when Tyler Soy found Ryan Tesink all alone in the right circle, and Tesink fired a one-timer into the net for a power play goal. Jared Thomas then gave the Oilers a brief lead when he scored on a short-handed breakaway to make it 3-2. The Thunder had an answer this time 1:16 later when Dyson Stevenson jammed home a loose puck for Wichita’s second power play goal.
The Oilers moved back in front in the final five minutes, when Bredo blasted a one-timer from high in the slot. Soy added an empty net goal in the final seconds to seal the 5-3 win. Fitzpatrick advanced his record to 6-0-2 to start his pro career.
Tulsa hosts the Kansas City Mavericks at 4:05pm Sunday to finish off the four-game holiday week. The game will be immediately followed by the Oilers’ annual Paint the Ice event. The Oilers will play on the painted ice Tuesday, November 27 against the Allen Americans.
