Olivier Ciarlo has been stellar in his first season with the Okotoks Oilers, picking up his fourth win in five games with a 3-2 victory over the Cranbrook Bucks tonight (Oct. 25).
The Green and Gold have now won three games in a row and lead the season series against Cranbrook 2-1 after winning tonight on the road. The Oilers struggled on the road to start the season but have now won their past two road games. The Bucks were coming into the game with an 8-2-0 record and had only lost one game at home in the 2024-2025 BCHL season.
Ciarlo played lights out, making 43 saves in front of 1777 fans in Cranbrook. Since Ciarlo has worn his new equipment with Oilers colours, he has won four games out of five and strung three wins in a row.
Tonight also saw the return of Spencer Rheaume after recovering from injury, and he was a difference-maker in getting two assists in the game.
Returning Oiler Kade Duell picked up his first goal on the season 3:45 into the game to open the scoring, Brayden Duy would get the assist for his fourth helper on the season. Nearly 10 minutes later, the Bucks tied it up with a goal from Bryce Sookro.
The second period saw the Green and Gold retake the one-goal lead with a goal coming from assistant captain Brett Wilson, who popped in his fifth of the season. Rheaume would pick up his first helper of the night and his third of the season.
The Bucks wouldn't go away and tied things back up at 2-2 in the third period; Jake Skogstad got the goal for his first on the season. The Oilers responded five minutes later with the game-winning goal coming from returning Green and Gold member Hunter Sawka. Rheaume got the primary assist for his second helper on the night, and Ryder de Nys got the secondary assist for his fifth helper on the season.
Okotoks has a chance to keep the good vibes rolling tomorrow night when they host the Bucks for their second of back-to-back games. The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at Viking Rentals Centre.
