LACOMBE, AB (October 8, 2021) – Ryan McAllister and Aiden Fink each scored twice, and the Brooks Bandits extended their winning streak to six games thanks to an 8-2 victory on Friday night over the Blackfalds Bulldogs at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex in Lacombe.
Goaltender Jared Whale made 20 saves in the win, as the Bandits improved to 7-1 on the season.
Brooks opened the scoring 1:45 into the game as forward Hunter Wallace (RPI) finished off a TJ Hughes (Merychurst) corner pass. Less than three minutes later, forward Ryan McAllister finished off a Zach Bookman (Merrimack) zone entry to extend the lead to 2-0. Shots were 18-8 in the period.
Brooks needed only 27 seconds into the 2nd period as McAllister (Western Michigan) scored on a breakaway to make it 3-0. But Blackfalds got one back, as Nicholas Magis scored from the right circle on the powerplay to cut lead to 3-1. The Bandits retook their three goal lead at 9:56 on the powerplay as forward Dario Beljo stuff in a short-side attempt to make it 4-1. Brooks got another powerplay goal at 17:27 as TJ Hughes finished off a behind-the-net Devin Phillips (Holy Cross) pass and scored from the left circle to make it 5-1. With 1:34 left in the 2nd period, Fink (Wisconsin) fired in a shot from the left circle to give Brooks a 6-1 lead. Shots were 19-8 in the frame.
The lead increased to 7-1 just over nine minutes into the 3rd, as defenceman Hughie Hooker scored on a shot from the half wall. The Bulldogs got one back on a Carter Yarish goal at 13:46, but the Bandits put it away with another goal from Fink on the powerplay on a left side shot to make it 8-2 with under three minutes to go. Shots were 10-6 in the 3rd period and 47-22 overall.
The Bandits next game is Monday, October 11 when they host the Camrose Kodiaks at the Centennial Regional Arena for their annual Thanksgiving Game, presented by South Country Co-op. Tickets are free for fans age 17 and under, and there’s a free Skate with the Bandits afterwards.