It took the Tulsa Oilers five games to finally clinch the last playoff spot in the Mountain Division, but they settled it on Sunday, their last game of the regular season, against the Allen Americans 4-1. This marks the third time in five seasons that the Oilers have made the playoffs and the first time since the 2021-22 season. This victory also gives the Oilers some momentum as they enter the first round of the playoffs.
6,649 fans helped cheer the team on at the BOK Center. The Oilers played a strong, shut-down game in the first period, limiting the Americans to only four shots on goal. Despite that, Americans Blake Murray (21) scored the game’s first goal at 8:12. Oilers Blake McLaughlin (10) tied the game up at 13:37. Kyle Crnkovic (20) put the Oilers ahead for good at 2:05 in the second period, and Jamie Rome (3) added to the lead just over a minute later. Blake McLaughlin (11) scored his second goal and sealed the win at 6:40 of the third. Julian Junca got his 16th win of the season with a 0.963 save percentage. The Allen Americans didn’t need the win as they had already clinched a playoff spot and third position in the Mountain Division.
The Oilers play the ECHL points-leaders in the Kansas City Mavericks starting Wednesday, April 17, in Kansas City, Mo. The Mavericks finished 45 points ahead of the Oilers and won six of the eight meetings this season.
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