OKOTOKS, AB (September 3, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers were back on home ice at Viking Rentals Centre tonight as the 2025-2026 BCHL preseason commenced.
The Oilers came up short in a 4-2 hockey game against the Blackfalds Bulldogs while outshooting the visiting team 34-27. Louis-Felix Charrois (Drummondville, QC) made the start in net for Okotoks, with Carson Mertz starting on the opposite side of the ice for the Bulldogs.
The first period ended with the Oilers ahead in shots 10-9, but the Bulldogs opened the scoring with a goal from Dean Toskos with less than 2:30 left in the frame.
Joey Meredith (Toledo, OH) evened things back up 4:44 into the second period after relentlessly attacking the puck in front of the Bulldogs’ net. Nate Porter (Hingham, MA) and Joseph Gugino (Buffalo, NY) would get credit for the assists on Meredith’s game-tying goal. Blackfalds answered back with three goals in the period to give themselves a 4-1 lead into the third. Trystyn Sidor collected two goals, and Declan Bowmaster added one of his own.
The Oilers came out with a purpose in the third period, outshooting the Bulldogs 12-3 in the process. Aiden Bruce (Kelowna, BC) gave the Green and Gold hope with a shot that beat Mertz’s glove hand side to cut Blackfalds’ lead in half with over 10 minutes to go. Mertz, however, wouldn’t allow another goal and played a big part in the Oilers’ loss.
The Green and Gold will be back at Viking Rentals Centre on Friday (Sept. 5) when the Trail Smoke Eaters visit Okotoks for the Oilers’ second game of the 2025-2026 BCHL preseason.
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.
