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CHL players pick BOK Center as league's best arena

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

In a survey of Central Hockey League players, Tulsa's BOK Center was voted the league's best venue.

In a season otherwise fraught with disappointment, the new arena was the one positive for the Oilers. Tulsa's 32nd and final home date is 7:05 p.m. Wednesday as the Northeast Division-leading Mississippi RiverKings visit the BOK Center.

The Oilers, absent from the CHL playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, close the season with a pair of weekend road games — at Wichita on Friday, and at Mississippi on Saturday.

Highlights of the 2008-09 Oiler home schedule:

Oct. 25: In the home opener, a BOK Center crowd of 16,982 — the largest in Oiler history and second-largest in CHL history — watched Oklahoma City prevail 5-1. Chris Kovalcik scored the first Tulsa goal in the new building.

Jan. 23: More than 8,600 fans convene as former Oiler star Doug Lawrence's No. 9 jersey is retired. Both goaltenders were ejected during a second-period brawl, and Oklahoma City records a 5-2 victory.

Jan. 17 and Jan. 20: For the first time all season, the Oilers record back-to-back wins, beating Mississippi 3-2 in a shootout and Rio Grande 4-3 in overtime.

Feb. 28: With several thousand school children in attendance, a crowd of 10,946 sees New Mexico prevail 3-2.

Before the start of Wednesday's game, Tulsa's team awards will be presented by former Oiler players. The Oilers have played six straight one-goal games and 27 for the season. Center Brendon Hodge has scored goals each of the last three games (including the overtime winner against Rocky Mountain on Saturday).

In Sunday's 2-1 loss to New Mexico, Tulsa goaltender Kevin St. Pierre totaled 50 saves. It was his fourth performance with at least 50 saves.