Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Chad Goddard
Okotoks, AB (February 28, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers got redemption against the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm last night after coming away with a 5-2 win, which replicated their first game against the Silverbacks during the 2025-2026 BCHL campaign as the season series finishes in a 2-2 tie.
The Green and Gold took the first win of the season series back on November 29, 2025, at Viking Rentals Centre, but then dropped the next two at home and away games before getting back in the win column last night.
Jordan Murray (Decker, MB) was mentioned in the preview as a player to watch last night, and he didn’t disappoint by collecting his third goal in four games. All three goals have come in the first period.
“It’s always nice to pop them in the back of the net, but really it’s just been being in the right spots at the right time, my last two only happened because everyone did a good job crashing the net, giving me good opportunities when the puck popped back out from the net front,” Murray said about his hot hands.
Holden Pajor (Eden Prairie, MN) was awarded the game’s first star after producing a goal and two assists for three points on the night, which brings him to four points (1G, 3A) in the last three games.
“I think what worked for me was letting the game come to me. Our players did a great job moving it around, leading to a couple powerplay goals. With the goal just took advantage of a breakaway,” Pajor said about his success last night.
Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) was named the game’s second star after potting the game-winning goal coming on the power play in the first frame. Kowalski would also pick up an assist on Murray’s opening goal.
“Yeah, it was a good night. Felt good to get out of our slump and pull out a win tonight. Feels good to start with a win in our last roadtrip out to BC for us. The guys were just dialed in on our special teams, killed some big penalties, and had many guys step up and block shots for us. I believe if we play like that, we will have a successful last bit of the season,” Kowalski said about last night’s tilt with the Silverbacks.
It had been a while since the Oilers tasted victory after some roster movements had changed the landscape of the team, but the team believes they can make some noise in the final parts of the season while finishing on a high note.
“Feels great to start off the weekend with a win. Everyone stuck together throughout the whole game; everyone did it for one another. Even when things got in our way, we didn’t break. It was a great team win,” Murray added. “We all just did it for one another. In the third there, we had a lot of huge blocks that got everyone fired up. Couple fights standing up for one another as well earlier in the game; those are the things that push a group forward. It was a whole group effort tonight.”
“It feels amazing, especially to break the losing streak with a great team win! We all played a role in the win tonight, and we all played our roles,” Pajor said. “I think just a great start. Started off with a great kill and just took the momentum with us. We all played to win and played as a group, with let to our success. We also sacrificed our bodies by blocking shots and shutting Salmon Arm down in the 3rd. Just a great team game, and we just got to bring the same energy (today).”
Another bright spot for the Oilers was goaltender Justin Giguère (Saguenay, QC), who earned his first BCHL win with 32 saves on 34 shots, which awarded him the game’s third star. Giguère held his team in it until the very end as the Oilers were outshot 10-6 in the final frame, but Giguère would deny any pucks from getting past him. The last puck to get past Giguère came at the 17:40 mark of the first period, as he wouldn’t allow another goal for the next 42 minutes and 20 seconds. Mikkel Christensen was between the pipes for the Silverbacks on the opposite side of the ice.
Murray opened the scoring 5:51 into the first frame, with Kowalski and Joey Meredith (Toledo, OH) each picking up points with helpers. Assistant captain Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC) added his 13th goal of the season just over five minutes later, with Pajor collecting his first point of the night. Mateu Späth, who played for Germany in the World Juniors this year, cut the Oilers’ lead to just one after responding 32 seconds later on the power play.
The Oilers wouldn’t let the goal affect them, as Kowalski returned the favour by scoring the eventual game-winning goal on the power play with Pajor and captain Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) picking up assists. Parker Deschene would respond before the period came to a close, but that’s all they could produce as Giguère wouldn’t allow another goal past him.
The second period would see both goalies stop every shot coming their way, but in the third, Pajor would extend the Oilers’ lead back to two goals at the 13:22 mark of the final frame. Meredith would seal the deal with an empty net goal with 44 seconds left to give the Green and Gold the 5-2 win.
The Oilers wrap up their BC road trip tonight in West Kelowna as they face the Warriors at 8:00 p.m. MST.
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.
