CALGARY, AB (November 17, 2021) – Hughie Hooker scored twice, Jared Whale made 30 saves and the Brooks Bandits stayed undefeated in regulation through 21 games following a 7-4 win over the Canucks on Wednesday at Henry Viney Arena.
The win improves the Bandits record to 21-1-1, as they sit in first place in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, one point ahead of Spruce Grove with two games in hand.
Highlights:
Bandits forward TJ Hughes (Mercyhurst) opened the scoring his league-leading 22nd of the year 4:44 into the game, finishing off a left circle pass from Devin Phillips (Holy Cross) to make it 1-0. But the Canucks would respond, as defenceman Connor Bertamini turned and shot a left circle shot that snuck past Whale at 13:34 to tie the game. Brooks forward Aiden Fink (Wisconsin) received a corner pass from linemate Anthony Cipollone and fired in the go-ahead goal at 14:05 to give the Bandits a 2-1 lead. That was followed at 18:01 by a Ryan McAllister (Western Michigan) one-timer to increase the lead to 3-1. Shots were 19-9 Brooks.
Brooks extended their lead to 4-1 at 13:47 of the 2nd period as defenceman Hughie Hooker had a wrist shot from the right circle sneak through Canucks starter Ty Young. Hooker added another with a one-timer at 17:48 from a McAllister pass to give the Bandits a 5-1 lead. With 91 seconds left in the period, forward Nicholas DeGraves finished a behind-the-net pass from Liam Hughes to make it 6-1 Bandits, who outshot the Canucks 18-4 in the frame.
Calgary opened the 3rd period scoring three unanswered goals, the first coming from Matthew Brunton just 43 seconds into the game, followed by a Ben Kotylak breakaway goal at 1:17. Then with 5:04 left in the 3rd, Zach Whittaker waited out Whale on a backhand move to cut the Bandit lead to 6-4. However, Brooks would kill off a Hunter Wallace (RPI) double-minor for kneeing and get a powerplay goal from Dario Beljo, who tipped in a Ryan McAllister shot to give Brooks the 7-4 lead, which was the final. Shots were 13-11 Bandits in the 3rd, and 50-34 overall.
Postgame comments from defenceman Hughie Hooker:
The Bandits return home for two games this weekend. Friday (Nov 19) they host the Camrose Kodiaks at 7:00 pm, followed by a Saturday (Nov 20) home date with the Lloydminster Bobcats. Both games are at 7:00 pm at the Centennial Regional Arena.