Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Chad Goddard
Okotoks, AB (January 4, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers evened up the season series at two games apiece after handing the Vipers a receipt in Vernon last night, taking their first game of 2026, 6-3.
Oilers captain, Brett Wilson (Calgary, AB), and 2005-born forward Brady Engelkes (Middleton, WI) both continued to solve the Vipers’ goaltending as they both found the back of the net, which now has them earning a goal each in all three games played against Vernon this season.
“Starting the year off with a win is big, in the sense of it for momentum. Sets the tone for the final half to find a way to win each night,” Wilson said about the Oilers picking up two points in Vernon. “Scoring each game against Vernon isn’t anything special, really. Just try to come into every game with the same mindset and preparation, and just happened to have found chemistry each time.”
The Green and Gold were happy to have 2005-born defenseman Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY) back in the lineup, as he last appeared on November 1, where he would sustain an injury after blocking a shot. Calabria was off to a hot start as he had 10 points (3G, 7A) in 13 games. He also plays with his heart on his sleeve as he’s the first one to get in front of shots and battle in the dirty areas.
“Great first game back from the boys after the break. We knew we had to play a strong defensive game tonight in order to get the win, and all the boys did a great job of blocking anything that came our way, getting the puck out of the zone, and capitalizing on our chances in the offensive zone,” Calabria said about the win.
“Personally, it felt great to be back on the ice. It felt like the longest two months of my life being out, but I’m glad I’m back to make a playoff push with this great group that we have.”
Two other players of note in the 6-3 win are assistant captains Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) and Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC), as they both came away with two-goal nights. Sawka would be awarded the game’s first start with Hikida being named the night’s second star.
“It’s great to start the year off with a big win on the road. We played as a team and got the job done,” Hikida mentioned.
Sawka’s second goal of the night would mark his seventh of the season, which is good enough to beat his previous BCHL season totals, where he finished the season with six goals. Sawka would also collect an assist in the game and finish the night with three points.
“It was huge for us to start 2026 off with a win. We really wanted to come into the new year and put our foot on the gas and not let off, and it felt like we really did that against Vernon. Obviously, it feels good to have 3 points in the game, but that comes from just the team game and everyone clicking together,” Sawka said about the road win.
“It’s awesome to see that I’ve beat my goal total from last year already. Last year wasn’t the type of year I wanted to have from a goal-scoring perspective, and I felt very snake-bitten. But now to see them going in this year, it feels really good.”
Joey Meredith (Toledo, OH) continued to produce against the Vipers, collecting two assists on the night. Meredith has found himself on the scoresheet in all three games against Vernon during the 2025-2026 BCHL season, with five points (2G, 3A). His roommate for the season, Michael Mikan (Edina, MN), was celebrating his birthday last night and was rewarded with two assists in the game.
Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) earned his 12th win of the season after stopping 22 shots in three full periods. Oliver Kanat made the start for the Vipers but was pulled after two periods, allowing four goals. Colton Jugnauth would come in relief in the third period for the Vipers.
Sawka opened up the scoring 13:38 into the first frame with a power play marker for his sixth goal of the season. Mikan and Meredith collected the helpers. Young stood tall during the period, making nine saves to keep Vernon off the scoreboard.
The second period was more of the same as Young stopped all six shots he faced in the frame, and the Oilers would add three goals to go up 4-0. Kash Crawford (Atlanta, GA) made an unbelievable play by dancing around two Vipers players and then fed an open Hikida, who blasted the one-timer into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. With 1:59 left in the second, Engelkes would pick up his third goal against the Vipers in as many games with Holden Pajor (Eden Prairie, MN) picking up the primary assist and Meredith adding the secondary helper.
Sawka made it 4-0, 35 seconds after Engelkes’ marker for his seventh goal of the season. Joey Gugino (Buffalo, NY) found himself on the scoresheet with the primary helper on Sawka’s tally, and Wilson would collect the secondary assist.
The Vipers responded in the third frame, cutting the Oilers’ lead in half with Christian Maro and Samuel Charko both adding goals 2:04 into the period. Wilson would cut the Vipers’ momentum short as he added his third goal in as many games against the Vipers 40 seconds later while on the power play. Sawka added his third point on the night with the primary assist, and Mikan added the secondary helper for his second point on the night.
Just under three minutes later, Hikida gave the Oilers their four-goal lead back with Josh Wiebe (Calgary, AB) picking up the lone assist. The Vipers would get a goal from Dmitrii Kubantsev a minute later, but the Oilers would hold on for the 6-3 win.
The Green and Gold will stay on the road next weekend with games against the Spruce Grove Saints and Sherwood Park Crusaders.
