BROOKS, AB (April 23, 2021) – Sean Chisholm had a five goal performance, and the Brooks Bandits won their 6th straight game, beating the Sherwood Park Crusaders 6-3 on Friday night at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Goaltender Ethan Barwick made 27 saves for the win as Brooks improved to 12-1 on the season. With the performance, Chisholm (Dartmouth) moves into a tie for 2nd in the AJHL scoring race with 23 points. The Bandits held a Tribute and Moment of Silence for longtime supporter Graeme Carlson, who passed away earlier this month.
Highlights presented by Days Inn & Suites Brooks:
Bandits forward Brendan Mairs opened the scoring 2:39 into the game, seconds after an offensive zone faceoff, he swept in his 7th of the season on a forehand shot. But the Crusaders tied it at 4:59 as defenceman Brandon McCartney forced a turnover at the blueline and found Liam Hughes open in the right circle, who scored to make it 1-1. The Bandits reclaimed the lead at 12:11 on Chisholm’s 1st of the night, as he took a no-look pass from Tim Rego (Cornell) and scored on the forehand shot to make it 2-1. Shots were 11-10 Brooks in the frame.
The Crusaders tied the game 2-2 on the powerplay 11:06 into the 2nd as forward Tanner Fincaryk redirected a point shot into the net. Brooks took back the lead as Chisholm fired in a wrist shot from the left circle top shelf at 12:09 to make it 3-2 Brooks. Shots favoured the Crusaders 11-7 in the period.
After Barwick denied a Fincaryk breakaway in the 3rd, Sherwood Park tied the game 3-3 as forward Blake Sydlowksi scored on a top shelf shot 7:54 into the frame. With overtime looming, Chisholm would score 3 straight to give Brooks the win. The first came at 17:50, as he got his own rebound and put the hat trick goal past Crusader starter Carson Cherepak to make it 4-3. Then he threw a backhander on net that squeaked by the netminder to make it 5-3 at 18:25, and that was followed by an empty net goal with 31 seconds left in regulation to seal the 6-3 final. Shots were 33-30 Brooks.
Coach’s Recap presented by Honda Magic:
The rematch goes Sat, April 24 at the CRA. Game time is 7:00 pm live on Real Country 105.7 FM and Hockeytv.com. Spectators are not allowed at AJHL games due to government restrictions.