OKOTOKS, AB (March 2, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers outshot the Cranbrook Bucks 36-29 Saturday night (March 1) but fell 5-3 to the team based in the Kootenays.
Over 1,500 fans attended the game at Western Financial Place to witness the fifth meeting of the season between the Oilers and Bucks. Cranbrook holds the season series lead 3-2. Okotoks will have a chance to get even with the Bucks on March 15 when they host the final game between the two during the 2024/2025 BCHL regular season at Viking Rentals Centre.
Olivier Ciarlo (Laval, QB) got the call between the pipes for his 36th start of the season. The veteran goaltender made 24 saves on 29 shots. Robert Miles for the Bucks on the other side of the ice got the win after stopping 33 of 36 shots he faced.
Oilers alternate captain Cyle Clayton (Strathmore, AB) opened the scoring with his second goal of the season at 2:30 in the first period. Ryder de Nys (Canmore, AB) got the primary assist for his 15th on the season and his fifth assist in the past four games. Brock Souch (Edmonton, AB) added the secondary assist for his first point of the game.
The Bucks answered back late in the period as Sam Ranello got his first goal of the season to make it a 1-1 hockey game.
Kade Duell (Taber, AB) has been on absolute fire as his hot hands continued, finding the back of the net at 7:34 into the second period to tie Oilers captain Jackson Rowland (Calgary, AB) for most goals this season with 17. Duell’s fourth goal in two games came unassisted.
Cranbrook wouldn’t let up as they scored four goals in a row, including two in the second period and another two in the third. Shane Baker, Patrick Murphy, Rasmus Svartström, and Jacob Fletcher were the goal scorers for the Bucks to give them a 5-2 lead.
Duell, again, found a way to put the puck in the back of the net with his now team-leading 18th goal of the season, fifth in the last two games and seventh in the last four games. Souch and Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) got the helpers on the 5-3 marker with 1:40 left in the game.
The Green and Gold will be back on the road Friday (March 7) when they visit the Saints in Spruce Grove for a 7:00 p.m. MST at Grant Fuhr Arena.
Recap: Scott Savard
Photos: Chad Goddard
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 currently in 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.
