OKOTOKS, AB (March 30, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers closed out the 2024-2025 BCHL season in Sherwood Park on Sunday (March 30) afternoon, falling just short to the Crusaders in a 5-4 hockey game.
Eight different Oilers would pick up points in the back-and-forth tilt. The Green and Gold’s defenceman, Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY) picked up a goal for his second on the season and the second in as many games.
Simon Westling (Härnösand, Sweden) got the call to start for the final game of the regular season, making his 13th appearance for the Oilers. Westling stood tall in net, getting the second star of the game after making 36 saves on 41 shots.
The Oilers opened the scoring for the second game in a row, getting an unassisted goal from Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC) 2:56 into the game for his 13th of the season. The Crusaders answered back with goals from Connor Gengle and Christian Chouha to take their first lead of the hockey game. The Oilers would answer back to tie things up at 2-2 before the end of the first period as Calabria found the back of the net for his first official goal streak in the BCHL. Spencer Rheaume (Beaverlodge, AB) added his 23rd point of the season with the helper.
The second period was more of the same as the Oilers and Crusaders accumulated another four goals in the frame. John Alex Banks picked up the first marker in the second period to give the Crusaders the lead 1:59 into the second. Oilers Rookie of the Year, Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) grabbed with 15th of the year to once again tie things up with Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) and Brock Souch (Edmonton, AB) picking up the assists.
The BCHL’s leader in points, Jeremy Loranger, scored the Crusaders’ fourth goal of the afternoon for his 40th of the season. Loranger was named the recipient of the Brett Hull Trophy as he finished with the most points during the 2024-2025 BCHL season with 105.
Ryan Boyce (Calgary, AB) wouldn’t let the Crusaders head to the dressing room ahead as he tied things up again 14:32 into the second period. Kade Duell (Taber, AB) picked up the helper for his 40th point on the season which was good enough for most points on the Oilers. Sawka came in a close second with 39 points.
The third frame was much different than the first two periods, as only one goal was scored between the Oilers and Crusaders. Unfortunately for the Okotoks, it came into the hands of Crusaders forward Masun Fleece. His goal would come at 6:44 of the third, and it was enough to hold up as the game-winner.
With that, the 2024-2025 BCHL regular season comes to a close, but it’s not the end of Oilers hockey as they are set to face the Penticton Vees in a best-of-seven first-round matchup in the 2025 BCHL playoffs.
Oilers 2025 BCHL playoff packages are available now at https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/events/35044-2025-playoff-package.
Recap: 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.
