A stunner took place in Cincinnati, a home winning streak is stopped and a Worcester transformation went well on its first night. All that and more in this week’s top Friday Five performances.
Roulette Ruins Wichita’s Night
Conner Roulette guided the Tulsa Oilers to a 3-2 nail-biter over the Wichita Thunder on the road in front of 12,799 fans at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Roulette’s first tally came on a power play on a shot from the left point midway through the first period for a 2-0 Tulsa lead.
Roulette’s second of the night was a highlight-reel breakaway finish that was set up by Justin Michaelian 5:24 into the third period, restoring the Oilers’ two-goal lead at 3-1.
Jay Dickman brought the Thunder to within one with his team-leading 25th goal of the season, but the Oilers hung on for the 3-2 victory and posted their 30th win of the season. They also keep their lead over the Thunder for second place in the Mountain Division.
A Stunner In Cincy
Until Friday night, the Cincinnati Cyclones hadn’t won a game this season when trailing after the second period.
That changed when the Toledo Walleye came to town and allowed four goals from the Cyclones in the third period for a 5-3 stunner.
Four players had multi-point nights for the Cyclones, who improve to 20-25-8.
The Walleye headed to the dressing room clinging to a 2-1 lead. Cincy knotted things up on a Curtis Hall power-play goal three minutes into the third period. It was his first goal as a Cyclone.
Kyle Bollers put Cincinnati ahead 3-2 just 41 seconds later on a rebound goal, but the Walleye tied it right back up on a Carson Bantle power-play tally at 11:41.
The Cyclones would take the lead for good thanks to Chris Dodero’s rebound goal off a Bollers shot with 6:48 left. Defenseman Chas Sharpe scored a 200-foot empty-netter to secure the 5-3 win.
Jake Bests Jack
Utah Grizzlies’ goaltender Jake Barczewski got the better of Kansas City Mavericks’ netminder Jack LaFontaine 3-2 at Cable Dahmer Arena.
Barczewski stopped 37 of 39 shots to pick up his team-leading 10th victory of the season. The win ended KC’s 11-game home winning streak, and it was the first victory for the Grizzlies when scoring less than four goals.
Matt Araujo had quite a debut for the Grizzlies after being acquired in a trade with the Rapid City Rush earlier in the week. He scored the game-winner and his first pro goal at 15:01 of the final period.
LaFontaine stopped 20 of 23 shots to take the loss for the Mavericks.
Smith Sinks Mariners
It was two goals from Jake Smith that made the difference in the Reading Royals’ 4-2 home win over the Maine Mariners.
Smith wasted no time getting his night started, scoring 28 seconds into the game, finishing a rebound from a Gianfranco Cassaro point shot that bounced off the pad of Maine goaltender Ryan Bischel.
Smith lit the lamp for a second time at 10:22 of the middle frame, skating in on a 2-on-0 with Mason Primeau for a 3-1 Reading lead.
The teams would exchange a goal apiece, as the Royals finally overcame the Mariners for the first time in six tries this season.
Monkey Wrenches Go Bananas Over Bison
Yeah, it’s a corny line, but couldn’t resist. The first night of Worcester’s Monkey Wrenches Weekend went well, as they downed the Bloomington Bison 3-1.
The Monkey Wrenches transformation celebrated Hockey Heritage Weekend and the invention of a design of the handy tool in Worcester in 1840.
Matthew Kopperud, Lincoln Hatten and Jordan Kaplan scored goals for the home team, while goaltender Hugo Ollas saved 23 of 24 shots to earn the win.
Kopperud has been hot since returning from a call-up to Bridgeport in the AHL. He’s scored five goals in four games.
The Railers (and Monkey Wrenches) went 8-4-0 during the month of February and are in a tight race for the final playoff spot in the North Division. They are just three points ahead of the Reading Royals after Friday night’s action.