GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB (November 8, 2023) – The Brooks Bandits erased a 1-0 deficit, scoring four unanswered goals in a 4-2 triumph over the Grande Prairie Storm on Wednesday night at Bonnetts Energy Centre.
Liam Fitzpatrick, Hunter Wallace, Nathan Free and Ewan McPherson each scored, while goaltender Brendan Holahan (New Canaan, CT) made 18 saves in the win. The Bandits (19-3) have won four straight games, winning 10 consecutive in Grande Prairie.
The Storm got on the board first just 73 seconds into the game, as Luc Trevors knocked in a rebound from a shot off the rush to make it 1-0 Grande Prairie. It was just the 5th time in 22 games this season the Bandits surrendered the first goal. Brooks tied the game at 9:25, as Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) forced a turnover in the Storm zone, shooting on net, which was initially stopped by starter Austin Dubinsky. However, Fitzpatrick got his own rebound and tied the game 1-1. The Bandits took their first lead at 14:37, as Wallace (Oak Lake, MB) one-timed a behind-the-net pass from Logan Sawyer (Calgary, AB). It was Wallace’s team-leading 14th goal of the season. Free (Calgary, AB) sniped a wrist shot at 18:12 to extend the Bandits lead to 3-1.
After the first half of the 2nd period was scoreless, McPherson (Edmonton, AB) forced a turnover at the Storm blue line at 11:26 and scored to extend the lead to 4-1. The Storm got one back at 17:48, as Dayne Tews scored on the powerplay to cut the lead to 4-2.
The 3rd period was scoreless, with tempers flaring at 18:47 as forward Davide Patella (Laval, QC) and Tomis Marinkovic both given fighting majors.
Final shots were 38-20 Brooks.
The Bandits are back in action on Friday, November 10th, when they host the Calgary Canucks at the Centennial Regional Arena. Game time is 7:00 pm.