The Tahoe Knight Monsters squared off against the Tulsa Oilers in game nineteen of the season, with both teams entering the matchup fresh off a meeting against each other. The Knight Monsters (the ECHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights) came into the game riding momentum after a recent win over Tulsa. They were holding an 11-6-1 record. Meanwhile, the Oilers (affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks) were looking to bounce back after that loss. They were bringing a 7-7-0 record into the contest as the two divisional rivals met once again.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters entered this key divisional showdown looking to secure their twelfth win of the season. They were also looking to strengthen their hold on the top spot in the division. With two rivals colliding, the stakes were high as the Tulsa Oilers battled to climb out of the division basement. A win would generate Tulsa some much-needed momentum. All signs pointed to a hard-fought matchup. Tahoe came in brimming with confidence after dominating the previous meeting between the two teams. If goaltending continued to be an issue for Tulsa, it could once again tip the scales in favor of the Knight Monsters as they looked to further assert their dominance in the division.
It was all aboard the Zane train as Tahoe Knight Monsters turned to #30 Zane McIntyre to get the start in net. It marked McIntyre’s first appearance in Tahoe. It was his fifth game played with the Knight Monsters this season. McIntyre was adding some intrigue between the pipes for the home side. At the other end of the ice, the Tulsa Oilers countered with #33 Christian Propp. This was his second straight start for Tulsa. The outing was his third game of the season for the Oilers, setting up an interesting goaltending matchup to open the night.
There were no goals scored in the first period. There was also no penalties handed out. The game was scoreless at 0-0 after the opening frame.
During the intermission between the first and second periods of the Tahoe Knight Monsters game, my brother, our friend, and I were given the unforgettable chance to hit the ice for a quick game of Quidditch. We had been approached before warmups and, midway through the first period, made our way down to ice level. After strapping on helmets, getting the rules explained, and being handed hockey sticks to use as our “brooms,” we were ready to go. The three-on-three game was played between the blue lines, on the ice in our shoes, with a volleyball as the ball. The goal was simple, hold the stick between your legs, grab the ball, and throw it into the net to score. All within a two-minute time limit. We talked over a light strategy beforehand, my brother would guard the net, I’d float between defense and midfield, and our friend would push up as the forward. When the whistle blew, all six of us sprinted toward the center dot. I managed to get control of the ball first and pushed it ahead to our teammate for a quick opening goal. The other team brought it back up ice and fired a wide shot, allowing my brother to snag the ball and send it up to me in the middle. With the net empty, I buried our second goal. Moments later, I fed the ball back to our friend for our third tally. The opposing team made one last push as time wound down, and my brother even tried a long lob down the ice as the horn sounded, but it narrowly missed, sealing our win in dramatic fashion.
As we walked off the ice, I was suddenly asked if I was okay. Confused, I said yes, until they told me I was bleeding. My first instinct was to check my mouth, and sure enough, my lip had been cut. Still standing on the ice, I turned to the crowd, threw my arms up, and yelled “Yeah,” drawing cheers from a few fans. After handing back the hockey stick, I was escorted to the first aid area, where the EMTs cleaned up the cut and stopped the bleeding with some medication. Thankfully, no blood ended up on my jersey. While I was there, a player from the Reno Fire Hosers (someone who knows me from Reno Pond Hockey) asked what happened, and jokingly said I should’ve fought the person who clipped me with the stick on the opening play. Once I was cleared, I headed back toward the ice where our team had already received prize bags. We snapped a quick team photo, shared a few laughs, and wrapped up what turned out to be an unexpected and unforgettable extra moment of fun at the hockey game.
Seventeen seconds into the second period, Easton Armstrong of the Tulsa Oilers received a penalty for tripping. On the power play, the Tahoe Knight Monsters scored the first goal of the game. The goal was scored by #65 Devon Paliani. His goal was assisted by #76 Trent Swick and #92 Sloan Stanick.
Less than thirty seconds later, the Oilers tied the game. The tying goal was scored by #14 Ryan Lautenbach. His goal was assisted by #15 Drew Elliott and #25 Coulson Pitre.
Three minutes into the second period, the Knight Monsters retook the lead. The goal was scored by #65 Devon Paliani. His goal was unassisted.
Eight minutes into the second period, the Knight Monsters took a two goal lead. The goal was scored by #76 Trent Swick, assisted by #26 Nate Kallen and #65 Devon Paliani.
With under nine minutes remaining in the second period, #25 Casey Bailey scored to give the Knight Monsters a three goal lead. His goal was assisted by #4 Olivier LeBlanc and #92 Sloan Stanick.
With under four minutes remaining in the second period, Zachary Brooks of the Oilers received a penalty for delay of game. With under a minute left in the second period, Dakota Seaman of the Oilers received a penalty for slashing. The score was 4-1 Tahoe Knight Monsters heading into the third period.
A minute into the third period, the Knight Monsters scored their fifth goal of the night. The goal was scored by by #10 Mike O’Leary, assisted by #92 Sloan Stanick and #65 Devon Paliani.
Three minutes into the third period, the Knight Monsters received a penalty for too many men. Six minutes into the third period, Dakota Seaman of the Oilers received a penalty for interference. On the power play, The Knight monsters scored their sixth goal of the game. The goal was scored by #15 Jake McGrew, assisted by #19 Luke Adam and #25 Casey Bailey.
Eight minutes into the third period, Brennan Kapcheck of the Knight Monsters received a penalty for interference. On the power play the Oilers scored their second goal of the game. The goal was scored by #22 Adam McMaster, assisted by #25 Coulson Pitre and #5 Duggie Lagrone.
With under ten minutes left in the game, the Knight Monsters scored their seventh goal of the game in back to back games. The goal was scored by #94 Kevin Wall, assisted by #95 Samuel Mayer.
Samuel Mayer of the Knight Monsters received a double minor penalty for high-sticking with under six minutes left in the game. On the power play the Oilers scored the final goal of the game. The power play goal was scored by #27 Easton Armstrong, assisted by #14 Ryan Lautenbach and #22 Adam McMaster.
the final score was 7-3 Tahoe Knight Monsters.
https://echl.com/videos/tulsa-oilers-vs-tahoe-knight-monsters-nov-29-2025
The opening period ended deadlocked, marking the strongest first-period performance the Tulsa Oilers had delivered in the series so far. In a strange pregame sight, Tulsa took the ice before the officials during introductions (something rarely seen at a hockey game) while the officiating crew was expanded to four refs after only three were used on Friday night. Physical play defined the first period, including a high hit on an Oilers player midway through the frame that went uncalled after an awkward collision with the puck carrier. Despite the even score, the period had an edge, setting the tone for what was to come. Momentum shifted dramatically in the second period as the Tahoe Knight Monsters took control of the game. The teams traded quick goals early, but the intensity only increased from there. Another high hit went uncalled early in the frame, and midway through the period a Tulsa player reached off the bench and grabbed a Tahoe skater with no call. Tahoe capitalized on the chaos, pouring on the pressure and the goals as Tulsa struggled with turnovers throughout the period. A highlight moment came on a strong solo effort by Wall, who stripped the puck and nearly scored on his own. Soon after, a Tulsa player lost his helmet during play, and frustration continued to mount as one Oilers shot rang off the post. Goaltender Zane McIntyre made a spectacular save during a late power play, after a fumbled puck led to a two-man breakaway for Tulsa. McIntyre battled relentlessly, doing everything possible to keep the puck out of the net. Late in the period, Tulsa’s Smith left the ice holding his face after contact, and a prime Knight Monsters scoring chance was cut short by a slash that shattered a stick. The frustration boiled over at the horn, as a scrum broke out at the end of the second. Tahoe carried that dominance straight into the third period, striking early with a goal that further tilted the ice in their favor. McIntyre continued to stand tall with several more impressive saves, while Tulsa hurt itself by taking an unnecessary penalty early in the frame. A broken stick by a Tulsa defender opened the door for a Knight Monsters power-play goal, extending the lead. Later, Tahoe was called for interference on a play where no real contact appeared to be made. Tulsa’s second goal was nearly stolen by McIntyre, who made an unbelievable effort to keep it out, and their third came only after they finally managed to get a solid screen in front of the net. Over the last two games, Tulsa has surrendered 14 goals, with Christian Propp in net for 12 of them. Late in the contest, one final chaotic moment saw Collins of Tahoe accidentally strike a Tulsa player in the head with the puck while trying to clear the zone, an odd and painful ending to a physical, high-energy divisional battle.
Statistically, the night leaned in favor of the Tahoe Knight Monsters, who finished with five more shots on goal and the stronger overall shooting percentage. Special teams were evenly matched, as both sides were awarded four power plays and finished 2-for-4 with the man advantage, while also matching each other with eight total penalty minutes. Between the pipes, Tahoe’s Zane McIntyre turned aside 28 of 31 shots to post a solid .900 save percentage. On the other end, Christian Propp stopped 29 of 36 for an .810 save percentage for the Tulsa Oilers, remaining in the game from start to finish despite yielding seven goals in a tough outing.
With the win, the Tahoe Knight Monsters improved to an 12-6-1 record on the season, giving them 25 points through 19 games and firming up their position among the league’s elite. Tahoe still sits fourth overall in the ECHL standings, ranks first in the Western Conference, and holds first place in the Western Conference Mountain Division. Most importantly, the Knight Monsters remain in a strong playoff position.
The Tahoe Knight Monsters are set to face the Tulsa Oilers in the twentieth game of the season. This matchup marks the final game of this three-game series at home. The puck is dropping on Sunday, November 30th, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
Zac Electrifly 
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