Oilers Coach Cautious About Playoff Talk


Ramsay: 'Too early' for postseason talk

By KELLY HINES
Tulsa World
CLICK HERE for Original Story

The Tulsa Oilers are nearly guaranteed their first playoff berth since 2005, but that's not how they see it.


"Just to assume we're in the playoffs, it's way too early for that," coach Bruce Ramsay said. "We have to fight for the rest of the year to make sure that we earn our way in there."

Because of a new format, the Central Hockey League will send 16 of 18 teams to the postseason instead of 10 teams in previous years. Only the team that finishes last in each conference won't advance.

"There's always pressure," Ramsay said. "Obviously, we want to finish as high in the standings as we possibly can."

The Oilers also are battling for home ice, given to the top four teams in each conference. Heading into a weekend series at Mississippi, Tulsa is in fourth place in the Berry Conference. The RiverKings are four points behind and in fifth place.

"To date, it's the two most important games of the year for us," Ramsay said. "We have a great opportunity to extend our lead against them in the standings, but obviously it could go the other way and end up letting them get closer to us."

Tulsa will try to beat Mississippi for the fifth time in seven meetings.

"We're going to be focused," Ramsay said. "We had a great week of practice, and the guys are really excited about getting on the ice and playing a very good Mississippi hockey club."

Right wing Jack Combs and goalie Trevor Cann have returned after being called up last week, and forward Chad Costello
went back to Lake Erie of the American Hockey League after a pair of weekend games in Tulsa. Also, the Oilers waived goalie Rob Mattison and right wing Brandon Sugden and will sign a defenseman Friday.

The Oilers have a winning percentage of 54.9. If they conclude the season at the same pace, it will be their highest percentage finish since 55.8 in 2005, when they lost in the first round of the playoffs.

"We've got to take it game by game," Ramsay said. "But I feel pressure every game, and I sure hope the players do, because you can't take anything for granted."




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