Written by: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (October 24, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers will host the Vernon Vipers tonight for their first meeting of the 2025-2026 BCHL season at Viking Rental Centre.
The Oilers and Vipers split the season series last year 2-2, with the home teams taking the wins in each of the games. The Oilers enter tonight with a 4-5-0 record after coming up short against Blackfalds last weekend, the Vipers, on the other hand, hold a record of 3-4-3 but are coming off a 3-2 win over Salmon Arm.
Joey Meredith (Toledo, OH) believes if the Oilers stick to their game plan tonight, the Green and Gold should come away with a win as they look to get back onto a winning streak.
“Yeah, I think everyone just has to come together as a team and play to our identity and not get off track. Kind of get back to the things that we were doing on our hot streak and capitalize a bit more in the O-zone, I think we will be fine,” Meredith said.
Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) echoed Meredith’s statements, saying, “Just stick to what we know, play hard, play fast, and just play together, play as a team.”
In just the first nine games of the season, the Oilers’ depth has been present with 14 different players already picking up goals on the season.
“We’re scoring goals, we obviously have to keep that going, but I think we just got to be better on the defensive side, just all four lines, and just keep it out of our end,” Kowalski added.
“Having four good lines on a team doesn’t come by very often in these types of leagues, and being able to use all four lines is a huge advantage against some of the better teams in the league and everyone you play. Everyone’s got to come ready to play because everyone is going to get an opportunity,” Meredith stated.
Kowalski is one of the Oilers who still hasn’t scored his first goal of the season, but is being patient while continuing to help the Oilers in other areas.
“I think just as a line with Meredith and Hiks (Hikida), just come out with speed, play fast, and just try to score obviously, but just play a good defensive game, and whatever comes from that, chances-wise, we’ll capitalize,” Kowalski said.
When it comes to last season, both Meredith and Kowalski said you can’t take too much from the meetings, as both teams are coming in with new looks.
“We had a couple of games last year, we were sleeping against Vernon. I think we just got to come out hard, set the tone, play physical, and we will go from there,” Kowalski added.
“I think it’s the same thing for every game, got to go in with a good attitude. No games will be easy this year, and it will be a huge couple of games this weekend,” Meredith said.
Some of the new additions for both teams are the additions of former NHL players who have joined the coaching staffs. Corban Knight taking the role as assistant coach and director of player development with the Oilers, and the Vipers’ new head coach this season, Matt Cooke.
This will be the first weekend of the season where the Oilers will host two home games in the same weekend, and the Oilers are excited to put on a show for the Green Army.
“It’s awesome. My family’s coming into town. So it’s always nice to have them here, where they will be able to watch me in person after watching on TV all year. Pretty excited,” Meredith explained.
“I know I’m excited. I know the boys are excited. It’s nice to be home for two games, so I think just try and get a couple wins here, ride some heat, and start winning some more games,” Kowalski added.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is set for 7:05 p.m., and tickets are still available for purchase upon arrival or at https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/events/37863-vernon-vipers-vs-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. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
