OKOTOKS, AB (March 21, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers are set to host the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday night (March 21) in an important game that could see the Oilers clinch a playoff birth with a win and a Spruce Grove Saints regulation loss.
The Oilers enter tonight in the eighth and final playoff spot in the BCHL Interior Conference. The Warriors currently sit in seventh in the conference with a two-point lead over the Green and Gold, while the Saints sit five points behind the Oilers in ninth.
Friday night will mark the fourth time the Oilers and Warriors have met during the 2024-2025 BCHL season, with the Oilers taking the first meeting in an overtime thriller at Viking Rentals Centre as Spencer Rheaume (Beaverlodge, AB) found the back of the net for the game-winner. West Kelowna then took the next two games on their home ice for the 2-1 season series lead.
Ben Vatis (Phoenix, AZ) will make his second consecutive start in his second ever start in the BCHL. Vatis was a big reason the Oilers were able to come away with a point against Cranbrook Bucks last Saturday, as he made 24 saves in the game and didn’t allow a goal until 1:01 left in the game. Vatis, who also appeared in the game against the Chilliwack Chiefs, has posted an impressive 2.52 goals against average and a 0.925 save percentage.
Kade Duell (Taber, AB), who has been on fire since we entered 2025, has three points in the last two games, including the lone goal in the game against the Bucks. Duell leads the Oilers in goals with 20 and 38 points. Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB) sits in second with 37 but holds the most assists on the team with 31. Oilers captain Jackson Rowland (Calgary, AB) is in third place for most points on the team with 36.
Puck drop for Friday’s tilt is set for 7:05 p.m. MDT as the Oilers host the West Kelowna Warriors at Viking Rentals Centre.
Tickets for the game are still available at tickets.okotoksoilers.com.
Preview: Scott Savard
Photos: Chad Goddard
Graphics: Geyan Predas
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.
