BROOKS, AB (October 30, 2021) – The Brooks Bandits had eight different goal scorers as they powered their way to their 14th straight win, beating the Okotoks Oilers 8-3 on Saturday night at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Ethan Barwick made 13 saves in front of 1,010 fans as the Bandits record improves to (15-1) on the season, putting them in 1st in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Photo: Em Duncan
Highlights from Days Inn & Suites
Okotoks scored first as defenceman Tucker McRae finished off a wraparound attempt from forward Dean Spak 12:45 into the game to make it 1-0 for the visitors. But Bandits forward Brendan Mairs would answer, scoring from the corner and behind the goal line on a forehand shot with under four minutes to go to make it 1-1. Shots were 13-5 Brooks in the 1st.
Forward Ryan McAllister (Western Michigan) fired in a forehand shot from the left circle on the powerplay 56 seconds into the 2nd to give the Bandits their first lead of the night. That was followed 26 seconds later by a Brendan Kennette (Sacred Heart) finished off an Anthony Cipollone right circle pass to make it 3-1 Brooks early in the period.
Later at 9:04 on the powerplay, forward Aiden Fink (Wisconsin) picked the top right corner of Okotoks starter Austin Zavoda’s net to increase the lead to 4-1. The Oilers got one back at 14:10, as forward Ty Yoder scored from the high slot to cut the lead to 4-2. But the Bandits would respond, as forward Devin Phillips (Holy Cross) knocked in a loose puck in the crease at 18:12 on the powerplay to increase the lead to 5-2. Shots were 17-5 Bandits in the 2nd.
Forward TJ Hughes (Mercyhurst) scored from the left circle on a behind-the-net pass from Phillips just 54 seconds into the 3rd to make it 6-2. Just 37 seconds later, forward Hunter Wallace (RPI) knocked in a Cipollone pass from the right circle to increase the lead to 7-2, and then forward Nicholas DeGraves scored on a Brendan Poshak (Northern Michigan) right circle pass to give Brooks an 8-2 advantage. The Oilers got back on a shot from the wall at 12:45 from Yoder, but that would be it as the Bandits skated to an 8-3 final. Shots were 13-6 Brooks in the 3rd and 43-16 overall.
Postgame comments from forward Hunter Wallace:
Postgame comments from Ryan McAllister:
The Bandits head on the road for their next game, visiting the Olds Grizzlys at the Sportsplex on Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:30 pm. Listen live on Real Country 105.7 FM or watch on Hockeytv.com.