After a full circle experience it’s back to league action for the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers.
Okotoks enjoyed a strong week at the 2024-25 Circle K Classic which saw them advance to the semifinal round of the U18 AAA hockey showcase in Calgary with a loss to the Okanagan Hockey Academy on New Year’s Eve halting their tournament experience.
The B.C. squad edged Okotoks by a 5-2 score in Tuesday afternoon’s B division semifinal.
Brothers Adam and Alex Halat found the back of the net for the Oilers while Dane Gillis made 20 saves.
The Oilers finished third in Pool 1 after posting a 1-1-1 record with an opening 5-4 win over the Detroit Victory Honda, a 6-3 loss to the Sioux Falls Power and dropping a nailbiter in overtime by a 3-2 score to the Cariboo Cougars.
In the B division playoffs, featuring the third placed team from all eight pools, the Oilers got by their Alberta Elite Hockey League foes the Sherwood Park Kings by a 4-3 score.
Adam Halat, Kaden Hayes, Kyler Sorochak and Alex Schaub scored in the victory with Steele Bass posting a 43-save performance. Tate Hanson and Grady Pichette added two assists in the playoff clash.
Adam Halat and Hanson led the team with nine points each in the tournament with 13 skaters getting on the scoresheet for Okotoks during the competition.
On New Year’s Day, the Circle K Classic A final pits the defending champion Shattuck St. Mary’s versus the Calgary International Hockey Academy, the B final is a matchup of the OHA Penticton and the St. Louis Blues while the C final sees the Valley West Giants and Edmonton Jr. Orange Clash.
Okotoks is back to league action in the AEHL with a road game Jan. 3 in Lethbridge and a home contest on Jan. 5, a 4:15 p.m. puck drop versus the Calgary Northstars.
The Bow Mark Oilers sit second in the AEHL South Division standings with a 15-7-1 record.
