For Immediate Release: September 4, 2017
2017-18 Opponent Preview: The Tulsa Oilers
The Cincinnati Cyclones will welcome in 14 different opponents to U.S. Bank Arena this season and we are going to take a closer look at each one. Our next look will be the Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. After taking a one-year hiatus from Cincinnati’s schedule, the Oilers will make a pair of trips to Cincinnati this season.
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2017-18 Schedule vs. Cincinnati:
Home: None
Away: 12/9, 2/9
Last Season:
2016-17 Regular Season Record: 27-37-6-2, Fifth Place in the Central Division
2016-17 Leading Scorers:
Patrick Watling – 13g-23a-36p, 55GP
Garrett Ladd – 17g-17a-34p, 58GP
Shawn Bates – 18g-15a-33p, 60GP
Phil Brewer – 11g-22a-33p, 61GP
The Oilers got off to a hot start last season, flying out of the gate with an 11-3-0-0 record in their first 14 games. Unfortunately, Tulsa could not sustain their momentum from the early part of the season, as they dropped nine of 11 in November and December and 12 of their final 13 games, including 10 straight. Despite the struggles, Tulsa remained in playoff position into the season’s final couple of weeks.
The off-season was a busy one for the Oilers, as they announced the hiring of new Head Coach Rob Murray, who has spent the last six seasons at the helm of the now-defunct Alaska Aces. While with the Aces, Murray led them to three consecutive Brabham Cups with the best regular season record in the ECHL from 2011-12 to 2013-14, and Aces captured the Kelly Cup in 2014, defeating the Cyclones. This off-season also saw a new affiliate for the Oilers in the St. Louis Blues. Tulsa had previously been partnered with the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) and Manitoba Moose (AHL).
History:
The Oilers are entering their fourth season in the ECHL, after being granted membership from the Central Hockey League (CHL) prior to the 2014-15 season. They had been members of the CHL since 1992. Tulsa won the CHL League Championship in 1992, and saw that success continue, making the playoffs in nine of the team’s first 13 seasons.
The city of Tulsa, OK, has a rich hockey history of both minor pro and junior hockey. Twelve teams and seven leagues have called Tulsa home since 1928, with the first installment of the Tulsa Oilers competing in the American Hockey Association. That team had a pair of League championships, while the Oilers of the Central Professional Hockey League won three championships in 1968, 1976, and 1984.
Arena:
Opened in 2008, the BOK Center has hosted the Oilers since its opening. With a seating capacity of 17,096 for hockey and up to 19,919 for other events, the BOK Center has played host to concerts, basketball, arena football and more.
The Oilers had the ECHL’s third-highest attendance average last season, drawing 6,110 on average per game, and a 36-game total of 219,971 people through the turnstiles.
The march towards 2017 First Face-Off is ON! The Cincinnati Cyclones return to U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday, October 14, when they take on the Kalamazoo Wings. In the meantime, we invite you to stay tuned in the coming weeks for information on tickets and promotions for the 2017-18 season, great offseason events like Concrete Clones, player signings, and MORE! Call (513) 421-PUCK for information regarding Cyclones Season and Group Tickets, and you can also get the latest team updates on Facebook, Twitter (@CincyCyclones), and Instagram, along with our website, www.cycloneshockey.com!
