Kelly's A Hero

Paul Kelly's unassisted goal with just 33 seconds left in regulation time lifted the Tulsa Oilers to a 3-2 season opening win over the Amarillo Gorillas Friday night in Amarillo.

Kelly knocked the puck away from Amarillo goaltender Dan McWhinney who had slid out to the left wing face off circle to thwart David Alexandre Beauregard. He was unable to corral the puck however, and Kelly swiped then fired a shot past defenseman Marcus Reszka to give the Oilers their third one-goal lead of the night.

Brendon Hodge broke open a scoreless game with the Oilers first goal of the season, a power play goal at 2:18 of the third. It took just 2:16 for Chris Lipsett to get that one back. The Oilers regained the lead on Kai Magnussen's first pro goal on a breakaway midway through the period.

Amarillo tied it again as David Nimmo finished off a two-on-one break at 16:20. That set the stage for Kelly's dramatic game winner.

The Oilers continue a four game season opening road trip Wednesday in Colorado taking on the Eagles in a gem set to start at 8:30 p.m. Tulsa time.