DE WINTON, AB (September 11, 2021) – Despite outshooting the Okotoks Oilers 49-21, the Brooks Bandits wrapped up their 2021 Preseason on Saturday with a 7-2 setback at the Scott Seaman Sports Rink.
Goaltender Jared Whale made 19 saves in the loss, as Brooks finishes their 2021 Preseason with a 2-1-1 record.
Okotoks scored first as forward Rieger Lorenz scored from the slot to make it 1-0 at the 4:50 mark. The Oilers made it 2-0 after forward Austin Reschny scored off the rush from the right side at 9:11 shorthanded, followed by another Lorenz powerplay goal at 11:51 on a net front scramble. The Bandits got one back, as forward Harrison Ballard (UMass) fired in a shot to cut the lead to 3-1. But Okotoks replied with Bowden Singleton left circle shot that made it 4-1 with 67 seconds left in the frame. Shots were 13-10 Brooks in the period.
Bandits forward TJ Hughes (Mercyhurst) knocked in a loose puck at 14:10 on the powerplay in the 2nd period to cut the lead to 4-2. But the Oilers got it back as Jackson Rowland redirected a pass from the corner at 17:36 to make it 5-2 Okotoks. Brooks outshot Okotoks 16-5 in the frame.
Okotoks added two more goals in the 3rd period, as Brendan Boyle scored on a wrist shot at 13:27, followed by another Singleton goal at 14:20 to make it 7-2. Shots were 7-4 Brooks in the 3rd.
The AJHL Preseason Trial Overtime did see the Bandits score. Defenceman Zach Bookman (Merrimack) fired in a puck from the left circle for the overtime winner.
The Brooks Bandits 2021 Regular Season Home Opener presented by McDonald’s is Friday, September 17 when they host the Blackfalds Bulldogs at the Centennial Regional Arena.
The Free Tailgate party begins at 5:30 pm in the CRA parking lot, with street hockey, bouncy castle and free hot dogs for the first 500 people. The Bandits will also be donating $20,000 to local minor hockey associations from the National Junior A Championship legacy fund.
Tickets are available at tickets.brooksbandits.ca