KARLSTAD, SWEDEN (August 17, 2023) – Hunter Wallace and Parker Lalonde each scored twice, while the penalty kill went for 6/6 as the Brooks Bandits defeated Team Hungary 4-1 on Thursday at Lofbergs Ice Arena at the U20 Super Challenge.
Brooks finished first in Group B and will play Farjestad BK on Saturday in the Semifinal.
Brooks began the game successfully killing three straight penalties, including a five-on-three man disadvantage. They were rewarded immediately after the third kill, as Davide Patella (Laval, QC) fed a pass off the rush to Hunter Wallace (Oak Lake, MB), who tapped in the puck to make it 1-0 Brooks, the only goal allowed by Hungarian starter Botond Szucs.
Brooks doubled the lead at 1:16 of the 2nd period, as forward Parker Lalonde (Aberdeen, SK) was fed a stretch pass from defenceman Luke Marshall (Saskatoon, SK), and finished a chance off the rush to make it 2-0. But Hungary would get one back at 4:30, as Barnabas Dezsi scored on a forehand shot off a turnover to cut the lead to 2-1.
Wallace one-timed his second of the game at 3:48 of the 3rd period to give Brooks a 3-1 lead. Then with under eight minutes remaining Lalonde found the back of the net for his second to make it 4-1, the final.
Shots favoured Brooks 38-25, while Brendan Holahan (New Canaan, CT) made 24 saves for the win.
France beat the host Farjestad BK (Sweden) team 4-2, meaning the Bandits will face Farjestad BK on Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm CET, 8:30 am MST in the Tournament Semifina. The other Semi-final sees France play Hungary.
Group B Standings (goal differential)
- Brooks 3-0 (+15)
- Hungary 1-2 (-1)
- Norway 1-2 (-5)
- Denmark 1-2 (-9)