OKOTOKS, AB (April 3, 2025) – The first-round matchup between the Okotoks Oilers and the Penticton Vees is set to go on Thursday night (April 3) as both teams open up game one of the 2025 Rogers BCHL Playoffs.
The journey to the Fred Page Cup for the Okotoks starts Thursday in Penticton as they face the Vees for the first time in a postseason game.
It’s no secret that the Vees are in their last season with the BCHL as they are moving onto the WHL for the 2025-2026 season and the Oilers would love nothing more than to send Penticton packing after the first round to spoil their final run in the BCHL.
The Oilers and Vees faced off four times during the regular season with the Oilers able to grab a victory on the road in Penticton on December 29, 2024, with Kade Duell (Taber, AB) finding the back of the net for the 4-3 overtime winner. Duell enters the series with a team-leading 40 points and 21 goals after dressing for 52 games in the 2024-2025 BCHL season. Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) was a close second with 39 points and led the team with 33 assists.
Olivier Ciarlo (Laval, QB) is expected to make his return to the net after a well-earned break for the final five games of the season. Ciarlo finished the season with 19 wins which was good enough for 5th place in most wins for a goaltender during the 2024-2025 BCHL season. Ciarlo is poised to make a deep playoff run as he’s in his final junior year before joining the University of Guelph next season.
For a full in-depth preview of the series, make sure to visit the round-one playoff preview at https://www.okotoksoilers.com/oilers-playoff-preview-round-one-vs-vees
Game one of the 2025 Rogers BCHL Playoffs between the Oilers and Vees is set for 8:00 p.m. MDT in Penticton.
For those who haven’t yet purchased their Oilers playoff package, make sure you don’t miss any of the action by visiting https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/events/35044-2025-playoff-package
Single-game playoff tickets for games three and four at Viking Rental Centre can also be purchased at https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/
In addition, the Oilers 50/50 has gone live with tickets available at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/okotoksoilers
Oilers and Vees 2025 Rogers BCHL first-round playoff schedule:
Game 1 – April 3 in Penticton at South Okanagan Events Centre, 7:00 p.m. PDT
Game 2 – April 6 in Penticton at South Okanagan Events Centre, 4:00 p.m. PDT
Game 3 – April 8 in Okotoks at Viking Rentals Centre, 7:00 p.m. MDT
Game 4 – April 9 in Okotoks at Viking Rentals Centre, 7:00 p.m. MDT
Game 5 – April 12 in Penticton at South Okanagan Events Centre, 7:00 p.m. PDT *If necessary
Game 6 – April 13 in Okotoks at Viking Rentals Centre, 7:00 p.m. MDT *If necessary
Game 7 – April 15 in Penticton at South Okanagan Events Centre, 7:00 p.m. PDT *If necessary
Preview: Scott Savard
Photos: Chad Goddard
Graphics: Geyan Predas
About the Okotoks Oilers
The Okotoks Oilers are a not-for-profit, community-run junior hockey franchise competing in the BCHL and operating out of Viking Rentals Centre. The Oilers are currently in their 20th year of play and their first full season since officially joining the BCHL in January 2024. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
