User blog:Cbcarter34/IHL Playoffs Recap: Oilers advance, but Thunder's future in Las Vegas in limbo

In what could be the final IHL game in the city of Las Vegas, the Houston Oilers made franchise history by defeating the Las Vegas Thunder 6-2 to win their opening round series 4-3. The Oilers' penalty-killing lines had to step up as the Oilers spent over 12 minutes in the penalty box due to interferences and unsportsmanlike conduct.

"We have to do a better job at staying out of the penalty box. We can't continue to overwork our penalty killing lines because one of these days, the penalties will kill us. We have to be deciplined because the next team we're facing is going to take advantage of every opportunity you give them," Oilers head coach Lemarcus Carter said. The Oilers will face the Oklahoma City Barons in the second round in the Western Conference, while the Long Beach Ice Dogs will face the Omaha Kings.

Meanwhile, the Thunder's future in Las Vegas hangs in the balance. Thunder owner "Wild Bill" Hancock remained silent on the matter, but Hancock has hinted the sad reality that Vegas can't sponser three teams in Las Veags (the NHL's Golden Knights and the IHA's Scarlet Trojans also call Vegas home). Despite finishing with the best record in franchise history, the Thunder's attendance at the Thomas & Mack Center have been in the doldrums for years. With the success of the Scarlet Trojans in the IHA and the Golden Knights in the NHL, the Thunder's days in Las Vegas may be numvered.

In the Eastern Conference, No. 8 Indianapolis Racers look to upset another top team when they face the No. 3 team in the conference, the Chicago Flames, while No. 7, St. John's IceCaps will face No. 4 Atlanta Thrashers.