BROOKS, AB (January 20, 2023) – Despite goals from Davide Patella, Heath Armstrong and Luke Bibby, the Brooks Bandits dropped a 6-3 decision to the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Friday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
The loss snapped the team’s seven-game winning streak. Goaltender Ethan Barwick (St. Albert, AB) made 25 saves.
Patella (Laval, QC) scored his first goal as a Brooks Bandit at 7:51 of the 1st period, capitalizing on a Bulldogs turnover and driving to the net, stuffing in the puck past starter Matthew Hennessey to make it 1-0. But less than a minute later at 8:35, Blackfalds forward Otto Hanson scored from the left circle on a forehand shot to tie the game 1-1. The Bulldogs went up 2-1 at 12:13 as David Brandes scored on a wraparound after leaving on the penalty box. But it didn’t take long for Brooks to tie, as forward Armstrong (Calgary, AB) finished off a rebound from a Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) rush to the net at 13:45 to make it 2-2.
The Bulldogs went up 3-2 on the powerplay just 58 seconds into the 2nd, as Kurt Gurkan finished off a David Brandes play. Blackfalds defenceman Tanner Willick scored from the right circle at 7:09 to make it 4-2, and then the Bulldogs scored back to back shorthanded goals at 13:24 and 14:03 from Brendan Ross, breakaway, and Gurkan again, finishing off a rebound. It was 6-2 Blackfalds after 40 minutes.
Bibby (Brantford, ON) got one back at 3:56 of the 3rd period, sniping a right circle shot to cut the lead to 6-3, his first career AJHL goal. But the comeback was not to be, as Brooks dropped just their second game at home in regulation this season.
The Bandits head to Canmore on Saturday, January 21, for a date with the Eagles. Listen to Real Country 105. 7 FM at 7:00 pm.