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Despite tying game late, Bandits fall 3-2 in overtime in Sherwood Park

SHERWOOD PARK, AB (February 11, 2022) – Ryan McAllister scored twice including the game tying goal with 2:26 left in the 3rd, but the Brooks Bandits fell 3-2 in overtime to the Crusaders on Friday at the Sherwood Park Arena.

It was just the second time this season the Bandits (46-5-2) have played in overtime, and the loss snapped the team’s four game winning streak. Max Beckford made 30 saves in the overtime loss.

Photo:  Credit: RHCphoto / Rob Raincock

McAllister (Western Michigan) opened the scoring at 6:17 of the 1st period, chipping the puck past the Crusader defender in the neutral zone to create a breakaway, which he converted on the forehand to make it 1-0. Sherwood Park outshoot Brooks 12-6 in the period.

The Crusaders tied the game with 42 seconds left in the 2nd period, forcing a Bandit turnover, which then saw Mitchell Joss pick the corner of Beckford’s net to make it 1-1. Shots heavily favoured Brooks 23-8 in the period, but they were unable to solve Sherwood Park goaltender Lochlan Gordon.

Joss scored again on the breakaway with 5:26 left in the 3rd to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead. But McAllister would take a defensive zone pass from Boston Buckberger (Wisconsin), skate up the left wing and fire a shot from the top of the left circle into the net to tie the game 2-2 with 2:26 left. Shots were 14-9 Brooks in the period.

Sherwood Park defenceman Caelum Dick fired in a one-timer 2:50 into overtime to give the Crusaders the 3-2 win. Final shots were 45-33 Bandits.

Brooks will continue their road trip on Saturday with a stop in Lloydminster for a battle with the Bobcats. Puck drop is 7:30 pm.