Oilers host Blackfalds for fourth annual Minds Matter game tomorrow morning

Written by: Scott Savard

Headline photo: Chad Goddard

Okotoks, AB (February 23, 2026) – Kids from across Okotoks will be in attendance tomorrow morning as the Okotoks Oilers host their fourth annual Minds Matter game with their Interior East Division rivals, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, on the opposing side of the ice at Viking Rentals Centre.

While seats are currently sold out for the school kids attending, standing room is still available, with tickets being able to be purchased at the door. Oilers season ticket holders can still attend and use their ticket to get into the arena, but for tomorrow’s game only, season ticket holders will be a part of the standing room sections.

Last season’s Minds Matter game saw the Green and Gold take a 6-2 win over the Spruce Grove Saints in front of 1,512 fans in attendance. Former Oilers, Brock Souch (Edmonton, AB) and Kade Duell (Taber, AB) would both collect two goals in the game, with Olivier Ciarlo (Laval, QB) grabbing the second star after making 23 saves on 25 shots.

The Oilers are coming off a close game against the Saints on Saturday, as Okotoks was unable to stop their Interior East Division rivals from completing a third-period comeback, but only fell by a single goal. Ben Deacon (St. Albert, AB) picked up his first BCHL goal in Saturday’s game, with Jordan Murray (Decker, MB) collecting his second goal in as many games.

The Oilers have met four times this season, with Blackfalds taking each meeting so far, but both teams haven’t faced each other since November 14, 2025, as the majority of their games against each other came at the start of the 2025-2026 BCHL season.

Gabe Smith (Brampton, ON) will be a player to watch as he will compete against his former team for the first time.

Puck drop is set for 11:30 a.m. MST tomorrow.