CALGARY, AB (September 30, 2023) – The Brooks Bandits finished September first overall in the AJHL, and on a four-game win streak, following a 5-2 penalty-filled win over the Okotoks Oilers on Saturday at the 2023 AJHL Showcase at the Max Bell Centre.
Brooks went 2/12 on the powerplay and 11/13 on the penalty kill, building a 2-0 lead in the 1st and never surrendered the lead. Nic DeGraves had a three-point game, while Johnny Hicks made 20 saves in a winning effort. The Bandits (6-1) have won 10 straight regular season games against Okotoks.
Brooks opened the scoring at 11:20, as Danylo Korzhyletskyi (Kyiv, UA) tapped in a Mirko Buttazzoni (Langley, BC) pass to make it 1-0. The Bandits doubled the lead at 15:18 on the powerplay, as Nic DeGraves (Edmonton, AB) wristed a right circle shot to make it 2-0. Shots were even 8-8, with Hicks making a key stop on Deak Spak on the Oilers powerplay.
The Bandits tripled the lead to 3-0 at 8:30 of the 2nd period, as forward Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) tipped a DeGraves forehand shot. 42 penalty minutes were handed out in the 2nd period alone, as Brooks outshot Okotoks 10-7.
Forward Davide Patella (Laval, QC) extended the lead to 4-0 at 2:41 of the 3rd period, roofing a backhander. But Okotoks would get back to back goals at 5:45 from Connor Gourley and Ethan O’Halloran to bring them within two. However, Jordan Hughesman (Winnipeg, MB) would sealt the win at 17:19, stealing the puck from Oilers starter Shane Chalest and scoring on a wraparound to make it 5-2. Final shots were 29-22 Brooks.
The Bandits are back in action on Friday, October 6th when they host the Drayton Valley Thunder at the Centennial Regional Arena, game time is 7:00 pm.