Andrew Martens gives Thunder OT win over Tulsa at INTRUST Bank Arena

January 28, 2012|KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports

WICHITA, Kan. — After relinquishing a one-goal lead with two minutes left, Andrew Martens scored with 1:17 remaining in OT to push Wichita (26-12-2) past the Tulsa Oilers (19-15-5) 3-2 Saturday night at INTRUST Bank Arena infront of 7,205 fans. Wichita is improves to 6-4 this season against Tulsa despite missing five players from the line-up.

R.G. Flath (6) scored the lone goal of the first period on a beautiful backhand from the left circle that beat Tulsa goalie Ian Keserich eight minutes into the game.

Tulsa had the only power play through the first 40 minutes and they took advantage as Gerome Giudice redirected a loose puck off a shin pad to tie the game at one at 8:03. However, Erick Lizon (1) regained the lead for the Thunder as Steve Christie got caught out of his net trying to poke-check the puck away from Chris Greene. Christie replaced Keserich after the first 20 minutes.

In the third period, Tulsa tied the game at two at 17:57 when Ryan Cramer put home a rebound after Russo flicked out his leg pad on a Sean Erickson blast. It was the first time between the two teams this season that regulation was not enough.

In overtime, Dustin Donaghy was called for charging as he leveled Steve Christie in behind the Oiler goal. Wichita was able to kill off the one minute power play and even had several chances themselves shorthanded. The game-winner came from Martens (9), who rejoined the team before Friday's game in Allen, with just over a minute remaining in OT. After a wild scramble infront of the Oiler net, Martens caught a pass from Francis Trudel in the slot and scored to end the game, 3-2.

Erick Lizon earned the number one star with two points (1g,1a), Trudel had three assists while Bourret had two helpers. With the win, Wichita is now 2-1 in OT while the Oilers remain winless in the extra session. Wichita moves back into first place one point ahead of the Allen Americans.

Wichita plays tomorrow afternoon as the Quad City Mallards fly into town at 5:05 p.m

|

|

|