MAVERICKS WIN IN SHOOTOUT OVER FIRST PLACE OILERS, 5-4
Jeff Christian scores 500th pro goal in win
TULSA, Oklahoma – The Missouri Mavericks defeated the Tulsa Oilers 5-4 in a shootout Thursday night in front of 4,597 fans at BOK Center. The win marked the first for the Mavericks over a team other than the Wichita Thunder, and Missouri is now two-for-two in shootout situations. Missouri ended the Oilers win streak at seven games and gave the Oilers their first loss at home. The Mavericks improved their record to 5-8-1 and will head home for a game Friday night at Independence Events Center against the Wichita Thunder at 7:05 p.m.
Box Score
Mavericks’ newly acquired defenseman Mike Burgoyne tallied a pair of goals including the shootout winner, and goaltender Alexandre Vincent stopped 31 of 35 shots including four of five in the shootout for a win in his first start with Missouri. Mavericks’ forward and assistant coach Jeff Christian scored his 500th career goal in the second period. The 20-year pro has 500 goals and 672 assists in 1212 games played.
“Our new players made a big impact tonight,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman. “Burgoyne, Tyler and Vincent all played great. Vincent made just enough saves to get us the win and he was great in the shootout.”
The teams traded a pair of power play goals in the first period. Derek Eastman scored at the 6:17 mark to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead, but Burgoyne answered for the Mavericks at 14:31.
The Mavericks took a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. Nick Sirota made it 2-1 at the 4:16 mark, and Christian scored his 500th career goal on a slap shot at 9:53. Tulsa quickly answered on a shorthanded goal by Rob Hisey to make the score 3-2 at the end of the second period.
Michel Beausoleil and Aaron Davis scored in the first three minutes of the final period to give the Oilers their first lead since the opening period. Missouri answered again when Chad Hinz scored his sixth goal of the season at the 11:25 mark to tie the score 4-4. The game remained tied through regulation and overtime to force a shootout.
In the shootout, Bill Vandermeer and Burgoyne scored for the Mavericks and goaltender Alexandre Vincent stopped four of five to secure the Mavericks’ fifth victory of the season and end the Oilers winning streak at seven games.