Oilers Suppress The Thunder

TULSA, OK -- Although it was just the first preseason game of the year, the Tulsa Oilers 6-5 shootout win over the Wichita Thunder Wednesday night had all the drama of a late season playoff rush.

The Oilers Chris Kovalcik and Kevin Hansen scored in the shootout while goaltender Kevin St. Pierre foiled all four Wichita attempts. St. Pierre had also stopped 16 of 17 shots in the first two periods, helping the Oilers claim a 3-1 lead.

Dennis Sicard and Avery Wilson scored first period goals for the Oilers who stretched the lead to 3-0 on a John Halverson goal midway through the second period. Wichita then scored the next four goals, getting three in the first 10 minutes of the third period off Oilers' goaltender Brian Markowicz.

Hansen tied it for the Oilers, and Mike Beausoleil gave the Oilers a 5-4 lead with just 1:51 left to play. The Thunder tied the game with 31 seconds left, with an extra attacker and on the power play.

In preseason, the CHL goes immediately to a shootout, dispensing with the five minute sudden death period. Kovalcik scored on the Oilers third attempt, followed by Hansen, and with St. Pierre stopping all four Wichita shooters the Oilers came away with the win.

The Oilers play the Oklahoma City Blazers Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Oilers Ice Center at 64th and Mingo.