BROOKS, AB (September 10, 2022) – The Brooks Bandits 2022 Pre-season has come to an end, as the BCHL’s Cranbrook Bucks built a 3-0 lead in the 1st period and held on for a 5-2 win over Brooks on Saturday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Bandits goaltender Ethan Barwick (Lindenwood) made 19 saves in the loss, as Brooks finished 6-1 in the 2022 Pre-Season.
Cranbrook got on the board first at 9:23, as forward Carter Schmidt scored on a rebound off the end boards to make it 1-0. They doubled their lead to 2-0 at 10:27, as forward Donovan Frias tipped a point shot into the top corner. The Bucks tripled their lead to 3-0 at 14:14 as defenceman Mattthew Duarte cleaned up a loose puck on the right side of the crease. Brooks outshot Cranbrook 9-7 in the 1st period.
Brooks first goal of the game came at 10:59 into the 2nd period, as forward Hudson Malinoski (Providence) cleaned up a loose puck on the goal line after forward Hunter Wallace (RPI) shot at Bucks starter Nathan Airey, who made a partial save. Cranbrook got one back, as Jarrod Smith tapped in a netfront pass to make it 4-2 Bucks at 19:01. But with one second left in the period, Bandits defenceman Dominick Campione (Arizona State) redirected a corner pass from Aiden Fink (Wisconsin) to cue the Cranbrook lead to 4-2. Shots in the 2nd were 11-8 Bucks.
Bucks defenceman Bauer Morrissey scored from the left circle 5:55 into the 3rd period to make it 5-2 Cranbrook, the final. Shots in the 3rd were 7-5 Brooks.
The Bandits Regular Season Home Opener is Friday, September 16, when they host the Calgary Canucks at the CRA.