Young Players Making Noise for Oilers


By KELLY HINES
Tulsa World
CLICK HERE for Original Story

With 13 games left, the Tulsa Oilers have recorded more wins than last season.

The Oilers are 29-22-2 and in third place in the Central Hockey League's Berry Conference heading into Tuesday night's home game against Rapid City.

"I think we've just gone with a younger club," Tulsa coach Bruce Ramsay said. "We're a lot faster. Even though we've had a lot of call-ups and are missing some really good players, it just seems like other guys have stepped up to the plate and filled the roles that we've needed."

The 2009-10 season was Ramsay's first in Tulsa. The team finished 28-29-7 and sixth in the standings, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Under the previous CHL format, five teams from each conference made the postseason. This year, eight of nine teams advance.

The Oilers moved up a spot in the standings with two weekend victories on the road, beating Mississippi 6-5 on Friday and 3-2 in overtime Saturday.

In his return after three games with Chicago of the American Hockey League, center Jack Combs had two goals and an assist Friday and a goal and assist Saturday. Combs leads the team in goals (32) and assists (36).

"It was great to get him back," Ramsay said. "Obviously, he's an elite player. He's proven it throughout the whole season."

Tuesday's game is the first of four this week for Tulsa, which is on the verge of securing its first playoff appearance since 2005. The team can clinch with any combination of five Oilers wins and Laredo losses.

"We're
in a good battle here right now, not just for third or fourth place but also second place," Ramsay said. "In order to stay in that position, we need to keep winning hockey games.

"Obviously, we're going to start (Tuesday) night against a very good Rapid City team that's been on quite a roll lately."

The Oilers are 1-1 against Rapid City this season. The Rush lead the Turner Conference with 70 points.

Beausoleil player of the week: Forward Michel Beausoleil was named CHL player of the week for his performance in the weekend wins. He scored a goal Friday and the overtime goal Saturday and also had an assist in each game.



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