The Okotoks Oilers have secured a landmark victory in the BCHL.
Okotoks bested the Penticton Vees, the marquee franchise in the Jr. A loop, for the first time in three tries this season in a 4-3 overtime thriller Sunday night in the Okanagan.
Second-year Oilers forward Kade Duell broke the deadlock at the 9:45 mark of overtime after the first place team in the Interior Conference rallied with two goals late in regulation to force the extra session.
OVERTIME WINNER!
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) December 30, 2024
With just 15 seconds to play in extra time, Kade Duell slaps home the one-timer as Okotoks beats Penticton 4-3 on the road.@OkotoksOilers | #BCHL pic.twitter.com/4kgYkRvn1l
Rookie forwards Michael Kowalski and Joey Meredith scored in the third period with Brock Souch opening the scoring for the visitors with a quick finish in tight.
Freshman goalie Simon Westling earned his second win with the Oil with an impressive 45-save effort at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Okotoks (12-15) skated to a 6-1 loss Saturday night in Trail and return to Alberta this week for three games over the next five days.
The Oilers are in Blackfalds on New Year’s Eve with the home-and-home set then moving to Okotoks for a 4:30 p.m. clash on New Year’s Day. To close the busy stretch, the Oilers host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks for the first time on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.
Okotoks, ninth in the Interior Conference, have games in hand on the six teams directly in front of them in the standings and play eight games in January.
For more information, go to okotoksoilers.com.
