Despite doubling the Americans in shots, Tulsa couldn't get past solid goaltending.
Anson Thornton was spectacular in goal Thursday night as the Allen Americans took the first of a two-game series in Tulsa against the Oilers 4-1 at the BOK Center.
Thornton stopped 41 shots to earn the victory, and Kyle Crnkovic scored a goal against his former club. The win marked the first for Allen against the Oilers in three ECHL meetings this season.
It didn’t take long for the Americans to get the offense going. Easton Brodzinski scored for the second straight game and his seventh of the year at 1:48 of the first period. James Hardie and Mark Duarte assisted.
Crnkovic’s goal came on a power-play late in the first period to increase Allen’s lead to 2-0. It was his fifth of the season and came against his former team.
Tulsa outshot the Americans 17-7 in the second period, but neither team could muster a goal. Tulsa cut the margin to 2-1 at 5:53 of the third period, after Reid Petryk sprung Austin Albrecht on a breakaway.
The Americans refused to be denied victory, however. Quinn Warmuth picked up his first professional goal at the 12:04 mark. Brodzinski added an empty-netter for his second of the night to finalize the 4-1 victory. It was his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The series shifts to North Texas and the Credit Union of Texas Event Center Friday night as part of a full slate of ECHL action. Puck drop is set for 7:10 Pm CT.
The Americans also announced a trade on Friday, acquiring forward Brian Chambers from the Orlando Solar Bears in exchange for defenseman Andrew Nielsen. Orlando then promptly dealt Nielsen to the Worcester Railers for defenseman Ryan Verrier.
Chambers will not be available for Friday’s game against Tulsa, but is expected to join the club ahead of its Thanksgiving trip to Rapid City next week.