OKOTOKS, AB (October 28, 2024) — The Okotoks Oilers saw their three-game winning streak come to a close when they lost to the Cranbrook Bucks by a 3-0 score at Viking Rentals Centre on Saturday night.
Although they fell to 5-8-0 through 13 games in the 2024-25 BCHL season, the Oilers didn’t look that much different on Saturday than they did during their brief winning streak — albeit without the finish.
In contrast to how they began their first full BCHL campaign, the Oilers are playing with more consistency and confidence against a new slate of opponents, and all that renewed energy was on full display on Friday as the Oilers defeated the Bucks 3-2 in Cranbrook.
Oilers goaltender Olivier Ciarlo (Laval, QC) started both games against Cranbrook this weekend and was stellar across the board, stopping 43 of 45 shots he faced in the win on Friday before turning aside 33 of 36 on Saturday. The 2004-born Ciarlo is now 5-5-0 on the season with a .902 save percentage.
Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) was named the first star of Friday’s game after scoring the winning goal with just 2:48 remaining in regulation time. Brett Wilson (Calgary, AB) and Kade Duell (Taber, AB) also tallied for the Oilers in the victory, with the latter opening the scoring in the first period with his first goal of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Oilers were unable to solve Cranbrook goaltender Jaden Cholette on Saturday, with the Ottawa product being named the game’s first star after he stopped all 31 shots he faced. But the assembled home crowd of 872 fans saw the Oilers put forth another strong effort that easily could have resulted in a victory against a different goaltender.
Now one point behind the Spruce Grove Saints in the BCHL Interior East Division, the Oilers will return to action on Saturday, November 2 to take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders at Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks.
Recap: Mike Gould
Photo: Chad Goddard
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About the Okotoks Oilers
The Okotoks Oilers are a not-for-profit, community-run junior hockey franchise competing in the BCHL and operating out of Viking Rentals Centre. The Oilers are entering their 20th year of play and their first full season since officially joining the BCHL in January 2024. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
