Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Chad Goddard
Okotoks, AB (December 19, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers will be on the road in BC to finish off their games in 2025, as the BCHL will head into their holiday break at the conclusion of the weekend.
The Green and Gold visit Cranbrook tonight to face the Bucks for the third time this season and then move on to Trail to take on the Smoke Eaters tomorrow to finish up before going into the break.
The Oilers and Bucks have traded games this season, with each team taking the win on the road. Okotoks took the most recent meeting, which was played on November 21, with the Green and Gold coming away with a 6-3 win. Rookie forward and Harvard commit, Michael Mikan (Edina, MN), took home the first star honours after his three-point night as he had two goals and an assist, including the game-winning goal. Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) earned the win with his 29 saves on the night.
The Oilers enter tonight with two tough losses in the previous weekend. Head Coach and GM of the Green and Gold explains what it’s going to take for the team to come away with two big wins to finish off 2025 on the right foot.
“We just got to play our consistent game. I thought we kind of got away with it a little bit last weekend. We were playing some pretty consistent hockey before that. Defensively, we just got to be a lot more desperate, especially around the front of our net, a lot more. I think if we do that, then it obviously gives us a good chance to win.”
That consistency was shown during a recent homestand where the Oilers were able to come away with six of a possible eight points during their four straight home games from November 28 to December 6. Deis mentioned that you can’t forget about their last game at home (Dec. 13 against Vernon) wehere they came up empty-handed, but praised the play at home during the two succesful weekend before that game.
“Before that (Dec. 13), we were hard to play against, we were defensive, we were sound, we were desperate in our zone, and that’s what we wanted. We got away with it in our last game, so it’s just one of those things where we want to play the right style of game,” he said.
While some players around the league might have their minds on going back home for the break, Deis explained that he doesn’t think that is an issue with the Oilers as the team has built a strong culture throughout the lineup and the players know that four valuable points are up for grabs this weekend and they don’t want to waste their opportunity to pick up points as the standings are tight.
While Cranbrook and Trail aren’t close in the standings, Deis and the players know that they can’t take either team lightly and will have to bring their A-game both nights.
“We want to play our game with our consistency. There is similarities (between Trail and Cranbrook), and we will go through different kinds of concepts of the differences between those two teams. But, you know, we’re ready here for Cranbrook, and then obviously when we get into Trail, it’s a smaller rink and the atmosphere is a little bit heavier. There will be a few changes that we want to make sure that we’re doing and we’re managing our situations a lot better,” Deis added.
There is some extra familiarity with the two teams Okotoks faces this weekend, as Cranbrook and Trail both have former members of the Green and Gold in Teo Pisani and Otto Hanson.
“Those are two really good kids; it’s always exciting for them to play against us and for us to play against them. It’s a good way to finish off (2025), two good Alberta boys, it’s going to be fun,” he said about the former Oilers.
Deis believes that having his leaders and other members of the Oilers having the experience in the league last year has helped the team continue to take steps in the right direction, as they have learned what it’s going to take to win in the BCHL. He would add that every night is a battle and that the Oilers can’t take any game for granted, as the standings are tight and any team can win on any given night.
As for the Green Army, Deis appreciates the support the team gets from around the community and is dedicated to continuing to showcase an exciting brand of hockey at the VRC in 2026.
“There’s a good brand of hockey here. If you guys (Green Army) want to see good, fast, exciting hockey, come down to Viking Rentals Centre and watch us play,” Deis added.
Game time tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. MST in Cranbrook.
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.
