Oilers make key moves.

TULSA, OK-- Tulsa Oilers head coach Bruce Ramsay has announced the team has signed left wing Tom Fritsche to a standard Central Hockey League contract, and has waived forwards Jason Weeks and Chris Cloud.

The moves come as the Oilers prepare for a weekend set of games at Colorado on Friday and at Rapid City Saturday.

Fritsche, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds has been with the Oilers, assigned by the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. The standard CHL contract replaces the five game contract he had previously signed. Cloud had no points and 25 penalty minutes. Weeks had played in nine games and had one assist and six penalty minutes.

The roster moves come as the Oilers are searching for a way to put an end to a losing streak that has them tied for 8th place with Odessa in the CHL’s Berry Conference with a record of 2-7-1 and 5 points. It will be the second visit to Colorado for Tulsa and the first this season to Rapid City to take on the defending champions.

The Oilers had an especially difficult week, compounded by an unusual travel delay. The bus the Oilers rent for their travels caught fire last Friday afternoon, and the team was delayed making its way to Missouri for Friday’s game. In spite of the travails, the Oilers outshot Missouri 36-29 but lost the game 4-2. The 36 shots on goal matched the season high for the Oilers. With a replacement bus available, the Oilers made the trek to Mississippi but lost 4-1 to the RiverKings on Saturday night.

One of the players leading the offensive charge for the Oilers is forward Harrison Reed. Reed scored both goals for the Oilers on Friday against the Missouri Mavericks. It was his second two goal game of the season, and fifth for the Oilers this season. The Oilers broke a five game power play goal drought when Reed scored on the man advantage at Missouri on Friday. His goal cut the lead to 3-2 at the time, and ended a streak of 32 power plays without a goal.

The two games this weekend will lead into the Oilers first home game in 18 days when they host the Allen Americans on Thursday November 18th. Following this weekend, the Oilers will have played nine road games and only three home games.

Tickets fore next Thursday night’s game with the Americans and all Tulsa Oilers Home games are available at the BOK Center box office or by calling the Oilers front office at 918-632-PUCK (7825).