Olds, AB (December 3, 2019) – The Brooks Bandits (28-1-1) opened up the month of December, and a busy four game week, with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday night at the Olds Sportsplex.
Forward Marc-Antoine Benoit (Drummondville, QC) scored a hat trick, while linemate James McIsaac (Winnipeg, MB) added a goal and two assists as Brooks won their 4th straight game. Goaltender Pierce Charleson (Aurora, ON) made 20 saves in the victory, his league leading 23rd win of the year.
After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, the Bandits struck first. Forward Randy Hernández (Miami, FL) scored a highlight reel goal after deeking through Grizzly defender Andrew Hunt and goaltender Ty Marcinkowski for his 20th of the season at the 10:53 mark. However, less than two minutes later, Logan Bromhead of the Grizzlys tied the game with a wrist shot from the right circle.
It didn’t stay tied for long. Benoit got his first on a breakaway at the 13:30 mark, followed by a McIsaac goal off an offensive zone faceoff at 18:33 to make it 3-1 Brooks after 20 minutes.
The rest of the Bandit goals came in the 2nd period. Benoit added a goal at 2:27 and 7:23 to put Brooks up 5-1.
Then, at the 17:50 mark, Hernández found forward Justin Ross (Calgary, AB) in front of the Grizzly, as he tapped in is 2nd of the year to make it 6-1.
The Grizzlys got a powerplay goal at the 5:34 mark of the 3rd period on a point shot from Brendan McBride, but that was all they’d produce.
Final shots were 38-22 for the Bandits.
The Bandits next game is Wednesday (Dec. 4) when they host the Drumheller Dragons. Game time is 6:30 PM at the Centennial Regional Arena, with seats available at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.