BLACKFALDS, AB (October 31, 2023) – Despite erasing a 4-0 deficit and outshooting the opposition 43-23, the Brooks Bandits suffered a 7-4 setback to the Bulldogs on Tuesday at Eagle Builders Centre.
The Bandits (15-3) winning streak was snapped at four games. Goaltender Johnny Hicks (Kamloops, BC) made 16 saves, while the Bandits powerplay went 2/9.
Hicks robbed Bulldogs forward Connor Dick with a glove save on the penalty kill early in the 1st period to keep it scoreless. However, the first goal came at 7:10, as defenceman Carter Patterson used a screen to score from the right circle seconds after Dick hit a post. Forward Layne Loomer one-timed a pass on the powerplay at 8:13 to double the Bulldogs lead to 2-0. Brendan Ross tipped a Loomer powerplay shot at 9:47 to triple the lead to 3-0, and then at 10:51, forward Ed Moskowitz scored from the net front to make it 4-0. The Bandits battled back, as forward Ewan McPherson (Edmonton, AB) one-timed a Mirko Buttazzoni (Langley, BC) pass on the powerplay at 12:39 to cut the Bulldogs lead to 4-1. Not long after at 13:52, defenceman Quinn McCall (St. John, IN) banged in a rebound off a Logan Sawyer (Calgary, AB) shot to make it 4-2. Shots in the 1st period favoured Brooks 4-2, and it was the first time this season the Bandits entered the 1st intermission trailing.
Nathan Free went off in the 2nd period, scoring just 1:43 into the 2nd period, scoring off the rush on a carry-on from Buttazzoni on the powerplay to make it 4-3. Free scored again at 4:15 as he recovered a puck in the right circle and scored forehand to tie the game 4-4. The goal chased starter Ethan Morrow from the game, as he was replaced by Wilson Maxfield. Blackfalds reclaimed the lead at 12:15, as Loomer one-timed a right circle shot to make it 5-4. Free had a chance to complete the hat trick and give Brooks the lead on a breakaway, but was denied. The Bulldogs went up 6-4 at 18:16, as Loomer tipped a Tanner Willick point shot.
Just one goal in the 3rd period, as Dakota MacIntosh added an empty net goal at 19:29 to make it 7-4.
The Bandits are home for two games this weekend, starting on Friday, November 3rd when they host the Sherwood Park Crusaders. They also host the Camrose Kodiaks on Saturday, November 4th, both games are at 7:00 pm.