Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Chad Goddard
Okotoks, AB (January 28, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers are in West Kelowna to take on the Warriors in a rare Wednesday night game in the BCHL as the two face off for the first time since Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY) called game back on October 4, 2025, with the overtime winner.
The Oilers and Warriors have only faced off once this season, which was fought on Viking Rentals Centre ice with a 3-2 overtime win being awarded to the Green and Gold. Not only do the Oilers enter tonight with a win against the Warriors in their only meeting of the 2025-2026 BCHL season, but they also come in after exercising their demons against the Brooks Bandits on Sunday with a 5-4 overtime win, and a 5-2 beating of the Saints on Friday.
Derek Purfield, Oilers Assistant and Goaltending Coach, gets a unique view of each game as he sits in the stands or in the press box instead of behind the bench, giving him a different perspective than the rest of the coaching staff.
“Yeah, for instance, (Friday night), we kind of came out timid, but then the guys got aggressive and then dug ourselves out of that hole. Then obviously, got the win there, which has been a while (against Brooks). The past two games, just the aggressiveness of our team has been really good,” Purfield said about what led to the Oilers success this past weekend.
Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) played hero on Sunday’s game in Brooks as he danced around a Bandit and then put the puck between his legs for a highlight reel overtime winner.
“He had a chance earlier in the game, and obviously it didn’t work out. For that one (the OT winner), he came in with speed and then put it through the D-man there and then, that move was…, I did not expect that, good on him, for pulling that one off. It’s hard for a goalie, because you think he’s going to his backhand. So, he starts sliding, and then it’s such a drastic angle change, it worked out, pretty cool,” he said about Kowalski’s highlight reel winner.
Being the Oilers’ goaltending specialist, Purfield has supplied the Green and Gold with high-end goaltenders, like Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC), who has been the backbone of the team since arriving near the start of the season.
“Yeah, he’s been a rock back there. Like (Friday night), they had a couple of power plays late. It could have been the difference, but he came up big, and we got to overtime. He’s been what we need back there, to have a rock like that,” Purfield said about Young.
Purfield added that having Young, who continues to bail out his team, gives the Oilers confidence going into each game, knowing that they can take an extra chance as Young will be in the net ready to stop the next shot.
Justin Giguère (Saguenay, QC), who was acquired shortly after the BCHL holiday break, has seen one game of playing time since joining the team, but Purfield expects him to get some more starts as the playoff push continues.
“Giggy’s (Giguère) been good. We were excited to get him through the halfway point this year, and coming from the “Q” (QMJHL). His practices have been good, and then that game against Sherwood Park, he was good there, stopping a lot of high-end scoring chances. So, we’re excited about him. Obviously, Younger is the guy right now, but Giggy will have a really good chance and opportunity next year for sure. We’ve got a heavy schedule coming up, so I imagine he will be called upon here. Just don’t know which one yet, but with the three-game roadie in such a short time, he’ll get an opportunity,” he explained.
The Oilers have produced wins against the three teams they face on the road trip, the West Kelowna Warriors, Vernon Vipers, and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Purfield explained that even though they have picked up wins against all three, they can not let the foot off the gas, as each game from here on out is a dog fight, as each team is trying to solidify a playoff spot.
“Oh, it just makes it so exciting to watch, like (Friday night) you know were down two pretty quick in the first 10 minutes there or whatever it was, just to see the resilience of the guys, right? Like battle back and take the lead there, in a tough barn too. It just shows the guys really wanted it,” Purfield added.
The Green and Gold will meet the Warriors at centre ice for an 8:00 p.m. MST puck drop tonight.
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.
