Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Chad Goddard
Okotoks, AB (January 31, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers completed the season series with the Vipers last night in Vernon, as they finished off the Interior West Division team with a 4-3 final score.
With the win, the Oilers take the season series 3-1 and have climbed the standings with their recent play as they entered last weekend behind nine points to the Saints, but now only sit three points back of the final playoff spot and still hold a game in hand over Spruce Grove as of today.
Oilers assistant captain Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC) had himself a night as he collected two points along with the game-winning goal in the final frame. While Hikida is relied on beyond the scoreboard with his physical presence, shot blocking capabilities, and his knack for crashing the net to create opportunities, Hikida has produced on the scoresheet as he has accumulated four points (3G, 1A) in the last five games.
“I thought the team played together tonight. We’ve really focused on our defensive zone, and that’s played a big part of us being successful recently. Big shoutout to Younger (Eric Young), he stood on his head with a 36 save night,” Hikida explained about the win in Vernon last night.
Another player who has been quietly picking up points since coming back from the BCHL holiday break is rookie defenceman Joey Gugino (Buffalo, NY), as he has posted four assists since the team returned from the break, including the primary assist on last night’s opening goal.
“Yeah l think the point success has been starting from the D zone, just playing simple and giving it up for our guys to go. Getting more shots to the net is also been very big,” Gugino said about his recent success. “I think coming into tonight, we knew it was gonna be a big one and wasn’t gonna be easy. I think we played well all 60 and had some big stops and finished the chances we needed to finish.”
As for tonight against Salmon Arm, Gugino explained what they need to do to stay in the win column.
“I think just playing simple and playing playoff hockey. We know they don’t let up too many goals, so we have to let up less. We gotta get there, D turning and continue to get pucks and bodies to the net,” he said.
Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) made the start in net after Justin Giguère (Saguenay, QC) was called upon on Wednesday after a terrific performance. Young would earn his 15th win of the campaign after making 36 saves in the contest to keep his team in the game. Jesse Sanche made the start for the Vipers before being replaced by Oliver Kanat in the third frame.
The first period would go scoreless as Young made eight saves in the frame, along with Sanche closing the door on 11 shots.
Holden Pajor (Eden Praire, MN) opened the scoring 2:29 into the second period after potting a beautiful backhand goal past Sanche. Gugino and Hikida would both pick up points with the assist. Assistant captain Hunter Sawka extended the Oilers lead to two goals a mere nine seconds later after redirecting a puck past the Vipers’ netminder. Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) added the primary assist for his fifth point (2G, 3A) in the last four games, and Gabe Simpson (Lafayette, CO) collected the secondary assist for his seventh point (3G, 4A) on the season.
The Vipers would respond twice before the period came to a close to tie things up at 2-2 heading into the final frame. Cole Bieksa and Tom Trockis were Vernon’s goal scorers in the second period.
Brady Engelkes (Middleton, WI) stayed hot as he made it 3-2 Oilers 3:47 into the final frame with his 11th on the season. Josh Wiebe (Calgary, AB) added his seventh point (3G, 4A) in as many games with the lone assist. Christian Maro answered back less than a minute later to tie things back up at three goals apiece.
With just over five minutes left to go in the third period, Hikida, who played a strong game all evening, potted the eventual game-winner with his 10th goal of the season. Jordan Murray (Decker, MB) added the primary assist, with Ethan Anderson (Stratford, PE) collecting his third assist of the season with the secondary helper.
The Oilers finish off their four-game road trip and the third game in four nights as they head to Salmon Arm today to face the Silverbacks at 7:00 p.m. MST.
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.
