The Okotoks Oilers opened up their first full season in the BCHL Friday night (Sept. 20) at the newly named Viking Rentals Centre with a 5-0 loss to the Brooks Bandits.
To start the game the Green and Gold introduced the 2024-2025 roster to the 1,074 fans in attendance. Only six returning players were announced in the new team captain Jackson Rowland, new assistant captain Brett Wilson, Ryder De Nys, Hunter Sawka, Kade Duell, and Brennan Hocher.
New goaltender Olivier Ciarlo started in net for the Oilers making 39 saves on 44 shots. Ciarlo played his previous four seasons of junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Nick Peluso for the Bandits had two powerplay goals and finished with three points on the night in his second year with the team.
Isaac Johnson, who suited up with the Bandits for the first time in his career, had a three-point night with a goal and two assists.
Johnny Hicks who was a standout during the second round in the playoffs last year with the Bandits continued to give the Green and Gold trouble by making 22 saves in the shutout win.
The Oilers and Bandits aren't done facing off this weekend, as both teams will meet for a rematch tomorrow (Sept. 21) night in Brooks. The puck drop is set for 7:00.