BROOKS, AB (December 3, 2022) – Tyler Blocha scored a hat trick, including the Teddy Bear goal, as the Brooks Bandits defeated the Olds Grizzlys 8-1 on Saturday at the Centennial Regional Arena in front of nearly 1,600 fans.
Ethan Barwick (St. Albert, AB) made 21 saves for the team’s 18th straight wins, who remain unbeaten in 28 consecutive games.
Olds opened the scoring at 7:13, as forward Liam Hughes one-timed a pass off the rush. But Brooks would tie at 15:54, as Blocha (Bonnyville, AB) scored on a forehand shot from the slot to send the teddy bears raining from the crowd, which will be donated to the Scotiabank Smiles for Christmas campaign. Brooks took their first lead of the game at 17:16 on a forehand shot from defenceman Sam Court (Winnipeg, MB) to make it 2-1.
Brooks made it 3-1 at 2:13 as Blocha tapped in a Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) pass from the left circle. Forward Nathan Free (Calgary, AB) scored on a forehand shot that went right post and in, chasing Grizzlys starter Noah Nelson for Marcus Cumberworth, making it 4-1 Brooks at 2:41. Blocha completed the hat trick at 12:02, forcing a Grizzlys turnover in the right circle and scoring backhand to increase the lead to 5-1. Defenceman Hughie Hooker (Brandon, MB) made it 6-1 at 16:48, sniping a wrist shot bottom right corner. Then at 19:55, Fitzpatrick backhanded the puck off a pass from Dario Beljo (Sudbury, ON) to make it 7-1.
Elliot Dutil (Montreal, QC) made it 8-1 at 5:52 of the 3rd period, one-timing a Danylo Korzhyletskyi pass from the left circle. Final shots were 49-22 Brooks.
The Bandits head on the road for three straight, starting Friday, December 9th in Spruce Grove. Game time is 7:00 pm.
Photo: Matt Vossepoel