Tempers flared last night in Okotoks as Oilers come up short against Saints

Written by: Scott Savard

Headline photo: Scott Savard

Okotoks, AB (February 8, 2026) – The battle between the Oilers and the Saints wasn’t for the faint of heart, as tempers flared between the two Interior East Division rivals at Viking Rentals Centre last night, with Spruce Grove coming back in overtime 5-4 after being down by three goals in the final frame.

Last night would mark the sixth meeting between the two teams, with the season series now tied at 3-3. The Oilers, however, in two of the three losses have come away with at least a point, with a 11th round shootout loss in October and falling in overtime last night.

The Oilers would pot two shorthanded markers in the first period, followed by two power-play goals in the second period, and only allowing one power-play goal against, but it wasn’t enough to snuff the Saints’ comeback in the third period.

Michael Kowalski (Chicago, IL) earned the game’s second star honours after potting two goals and was noticeable all night long as he was a force to be reckoned with. Kowalski’s two goals bring him to 26 points (11G, 15A) on the season, while accumulating seven points (4G, 3A) in as many games.

Oilers assistant captain Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC) was awarded the third star after showing his playmaking ability with two assists. Hikida, who can be used in any situation for the Oilers, showed his skill this weekend by grabbing four points (2G, 2A) in two games over the weekend. Hikida has been consistently getting on the scoresheet as he has produced seven points (4G, 3A) in the last six games.

Justin Giguère (Saguenay, QC) got the call for the Oilers to start between the pipes for his first game at Viking Rentals Centre. Giguère was coming off an impressive performance against the Interior West’s top team, the West Kelowna Warriors, and once again impressed last night for the first time in front of the Green Army. He would go a span of over 43 minutes of stopping every shot he faced as the Saints’ first goal was scored at 7:22 of the first, and they wouldn’t solve Giguère again until the 11:47 mark of the third period.

Joseph Quintilio made the start for the Saints before the Oilers chased him out of the net with four goals, and he was replaced by Finn Marshall in the second frame.

Felix Haibok opened the scoring in the first period for the Saints, but the Oilers responded with a shorthanded marker from Kowalski, who used his speed to get past a Saints defender and put it away with a beautiful backhand goal. Kowalski’s goal would go unassisted. Holden Pajor (Eden Prairie) gave the Oilers the 2-1 lead just over three minutes later with the Green and Gold’s second shorthanded goal of the night. Assistant captains Ryder de Nys (Canmore, AB) and Hikida would both collect the assists.

Josh Wiebe (Calgary, AB) and Hikida would connect for a goal 5:27 into the second period to give the Oilers a two-goal lead while on the power play. Wiebe, who picked up his 12th goal of the season, which has him tied for first place with Hikida and Pajor, has also accumulated seven points (4G, 3A) in the last seven games as he continues to produce for Okotoks.  Just over a minute later, Kowalski picked up his second of the game and first on the power play with Joey Gugino (Buffalo, NY) and Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY) picking up the assists. Giguère would make 15 saves in the period to shut the door.

The Oilers would get into some penalty trouble in the third period, and while only allowing one power play goal against in the frame, the Saints would storm back with three goals to tie things up before the end of the frame. Scott Sandiland, Tre Peck, and Junior Podein would all pick up goals for Spruce Grove.

Haibok collected his second goal of the game in overtime for the game-winner.

The Oilers four game homestand will continue this weekend with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks visiting on Friday and the Sherwood Park Crusaders arriving on Saturday.