Maybe no team has more riding on this weekend than the Tulsa Oilers who have picked the wrong time to fall into a slump. Tulsa is just 2-8-2 in their last 12 games and have seen themselves fall from a comfortable playoff position to eight points out in about a month’s time.
The Oilers host the last placed Arizona Sundogs tonight (43 points) in an absolute ‘must-win’ game. They then travel to Missouri (33-20-6) on Saturday and then host the Mavs on Sunday to finish off their home-and-home series.
CHL Standings
The bad news for the Oilers is that the team they are trying to catch, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (29-26-7) have won five straight games and are in Dayton playing the last place team in the Turner Conference on Friday night.
More bad news is that the Oilers are yet to beat Missouri this season in five chances and not only have two remaining this weekend against the Mavs, but have two more tilts lined up for next weekend.
The Oilers do have some good news in that they have three games in hand on the Killer Bees which could help with the eight point gap. All wins and suddenly that separation is down to just two points.
RGV has the game at Dayton tonight, a showdown with the Quad City Mallards on Saturday and then a pair of home games next weekend with Laredo on their remaining schedule.
Tulsa has this weekend’s games, they host Laredo on Tuesday and then next weekend hosts Texas prior to their final home-and-home with the Mavs.
There is a chance for the Oilers but anything less than a perfect 3-0 weekend will probably spell the end to their playoff hopes.