In Game 1 of the ECHL’s Mountain Division Semifinals, the Tulsa Oilers faced off against the Kansas City Mavericks at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence on Wednesday night, with the hometown Mavericks ultimately emerging with a 4-2 triumph.
Mike McKee swiftly put the Oilers on the scoreboard just 40 seconds into the game, followed by Eddie Matsushima extending their lead to 2-0 with a breakaway goal early in the second period. However, the Mavericks mounted a comeback effort, with Jake Jaremko and Nolan Walker leveling the score at 2-2 heading into the final frame. Nate Knoepke then secured the game-winning goal for the Mavericks, with Patrick Curry sealing the victory with an empty-netter in the closing seconds.
In Thursday night’s Game 2, also held at Cable Dahmer Arena, the Oilers fell short once again, this time by a narrow margin of 3-2, granting the Mavericks a 2-0 series lead. Alec Butcher opened the scoring for Tulsa, but the Mavericks responded with goals from Bradley Schoonbaert and Patrick Curry to take the lead. Michael Farren managed to equalize for the Oilers in the final frame, only for David Cotton to deliver the game-winning goal for the Mavericks with just over two minutes remaining.
With the series now shifting to Tulsa, the Oilers look to bounce back in front of their home crowd at the BOK Center in hopes of turning the tide in their favor. The upcoming game on April 19 will be pivotal for the Oilers as they aim to narrow the series gap against the Mavericks. The Tulsa Oilers are an affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, while the Kansas City Mavericks are affiliated with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.