BONNYVILLE, AB (January 29, 2022) – The Brooks Bandits suffered their first regular season shutout loss in nearly four years, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Saturday at the RJ Lalonde Arena.
It was the first time the Bandits (42-5-1) were shutout since February 10, 2018.
All the goals were scored in the second period, two of them shorthanded.
The 1st period was scoreless. Shots were 11-8 Pontiacs.
Pontiacs forward Sebastian Tamburro opened the scoring at 4:22 of the 2nd period with a forehand shot from the right circle that slid just past Bandits goaltender Ethan Barwick to make it 1-0. With Brooks on the powerplay looking to tie, Bonnyville had a two-on-one rush, with Tamburro redirecting a Kash Rasmussen pass and scoring shorthanded to make it 2-0 at 9:44. The Pontiacs made it 3-0 at 18:05 as Rasmussen scored on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 3-0.
The Bandits pressured the Pontiacs in the 3rd, with a defenceman Josh Zinger (Northern Michigan) coming close on a net front chance on Pontiacs starter Matt Hennessey, but was denied by a glove save. Despite Barwick shutting the door in the 3rd, the Bandits were held off the scoresheet.
Brooks will look to rebound with a game in Canmore on Tuesday (Feb 1) against the Eagles. Listen on Real Country 105.7 FM.
The Bandits are back home on Friday (Feb 4) vs the Calgary Canucks and Saturday (Feb 5) vs the Okotoks Oilers. Both games are at 7:00 pm at the Centennial Regional Arena.