Mavericks Score Two Late Goals In 5-3 Win Over Tulsa

The Missouri Mavericks (15-11-4) scored two shorthanded goals late in regulation to beat the Tulsa Oilers, 5-3, Saturday night at BOK Center. Sebastien Thinel had four points for the second straight game on a pair of goals and a pair of assists to lead the Mavericks. Brandon Smith had two assists and goaltender Mike Clemente made 38 saves for his 12th win of the season. Missouri scored multiple shorthanded goals for the first time this season and finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Missouri will host the Tulsa Oilers on New Year’s Eve at Independence Events Center at 7:05 p.m.

“Big night for the special teams,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman. “Great focus in the third period to win the game late. The defensive core and role players really came up big and Thinel continues to lead us.”

Missouri opened up the back-and-forth battle with the first goal of the game when Thinel buried a backhand at the 8:35 mark of the first period. It was all Tulsa for the remainder of the opening period.  Gary Steffes scored on the power play and Ben Gordon gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead through one period of play.

Missouri tied the game in the second period on Kenton Miller’s 11th goal of the season. It was the only goal of the second period and the teams headed to the third period tied, 2-2.

Dave Pszenyczny scored on the power play and gave the Mavericks a 3-2 lead early into the final frame, but the Oilers answered with a power play goal of their own. Sean Erickson tied the game for Tulsa at the 8:28 mark, but it would be the last time the Oilers would get a puck past Clemente. Late in the game, the Mavericks were shorthanded after a double minor penalty to Podge Turnbull, but Missouri forced an odd-man rush and buried their chance. Thinel and Smith came into the Oilers’ zone on a two-on-one and Thinel snapped home a shot for the game-winning shorthanded goal. Colt King added an empty net shorthanded goal in the final minute to give the Mavericks a 5-3 win.

The Mavericks will return to Independence Events Center on New Year’s Eve to face off against the Oilers at 7:05 p.m. Tickets on are sale via Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or by heading to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office. For more information on the Missouri Mavericks visit www.MissouriMavericks.com.