Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (January 29, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers put up a valiant effort against the Interior Conference’s top team, the Warriors, in West Kelowna last night, coming up just short in a 1-0 tilt.
Justin Giguère (Saguenay, QC) was a standout in the second meeting of the 2025-2026 BCHL season between the two Interior Conference teams, making 30 saves and allowing only one goal, which came in the final frame.
The season series between the Oilers and Warriors is now tied at one game apiece, with both organizations scoring a total of three goals each as the Oilers took the first meeting 3-2 back on October 4, 2025, at Viking Rentals Centre. Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY) scored the overtime winner.
Oilers Assistant and Goaltending Coach, Derek Purfield, teased that Giguère could see himself making a start while on this week’s three-game road trip in last night’s game’s preview. Last night would be the night that they decided to give Giguère his second-ever BCHL start, and it was a smart choice as he did everything he could to keep his team in the game. BCHL All-Star Angelo Zol made the start for the Warriors and claimed the shutout with 32 saves.
The first period would go scoreless as the Oilers would outshot the Warriors 11-10. The Oilers would head to the power play two times in the frame while giving up the game’s first penalty in the first minute of the game.
The second period would see the Warriors heavily outshot the Oilers 13-5, but the Green and Gold would get some great goaltending from their rookie netminder, Giguère, who made all 13 stops.
The Warriors broke the deadlock 47 minutes and 10 seconds into the game with Daxton Endicott scoring the game’s lone goal. The Green and Gold would pepper Zol with 16 shots in the period, but weren’t awarded for their late onslaught as West Kelowna tied the season series.
The Oilers will have a ton of bonding opportunities this week, as they have tonight off but then head to Vernon to face the Vipers for the fourth time this season. The Oilers currently hold the season series 2-1 over the Vipers.
The Okotoks Oilers are a not-for-profit, community-run junior hockey franchise competing in the BCHL and operating out of Viking Rentals Centre. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
