Oilers, Ice Bats Continue Outstanding Starts

It’s often said the defense wins championships, and judging by the early season play of the Tulsa Oilers and Austin Ice Bats, the two clubs have to be considered early season favorites to claim the Ray Miron President’s Cup title.

The Tulsa Oilers narrowly missed qualifying for the post-season last year, in large part due to a 3-7-0 start that ultimately cost them a playoff berth. Clearly the Oilers wanted a better beginning to the current season, and after an 8-5 home ice win over the Oklahoma City Blazers, Tulsa has a record of 12-1-0 to open the season. To give their turnaround some perspective, the Oilers didn’t earn their 12th win last season until December 26th. Led by veteran netminder Rod Branch (a perfect 12-0-0 this season) and a quality stable of defensemen, the Oilers rank second in the CHL in both average goals for (3.77) and against (1.85) per game. Mix speedy Todd Marcellus (leading the Oilers with 21 points) with a steady and dependable group of forwards, and Tulsa has clearly become the early season team to beat in the CHL’s Northern Conference.

In Austin, the Ice Bats have a little different motivation after falling in last year’s President’s Cup Finals to the Memphis RiverKings. Returning the majority of the key cogs to last season’s Southern Conference Champions, Austin did revamp their goaltending situation, and the move has paid great dividends. Matt Barnes tends net for the top defensive team in the CHL, which has allowed a CHL-best 1.58 goals against per contest. Center Kelly Smart has 12 goals in 12 games to lead a deep group of talented forwards. Despite having their season opening 10-game winning streak snapped Saturday in an overtime loss at Corpus Christi, Austin remains as the top club in the Southern Conference, and the only CHL squad yet to suffer a regulation loss.

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