WHITECOURT, AB (September 16, 2023) – Johnny Hicks earned his first career AJHL shutout, while four different Bandits scored in a 4-0 road win over the Wolverines at JDA Place on Saturday.
Hicks (Kamloops, BC) made 22 saves for his second win in as many starts, while Nathan Free, Caelan Fitzpatrick, Quinn McCall and Jordan Hughesman all scored. The Bandits (2-0) wrapped up their weekend outscoring their opposition 6-1 through their first two games following the 2-1 in Drayton Valley on Friday.
Nathan Free (Calgary, AB) opened the scoring on the powerplay, scoring from the left circle, shortside on the powerplay to make it 1-0 Brooks. The Bandits doubled their lead at 11:55, as Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) cleaned up a loose puck in front of the Wolverines crease and roofed it to make it 2-0 Bandits. Shots were 15-6 Brooks in the period.
The 2nd period was scoreless, the closest the Bandits came to scoring was on the powerplay, as defenceman Hughie Hooker (Brandon, MB) ripped a shot off the right post.
Defenceman Quinn McCall (St. John, IN) scored his first career AJHL goal, scoring top shelf from the right circle at 2:16 of the 3rd period to make it 3-0. Forward Jordan Hughesman (Winnipeg, MB) won an offensive zone faceoff, and immediately scored unassisted at 6:02 to extend the lead to 4-0. Hicks made a blocker save in the final 10 seconds to preserve the shutout. Brooks outshot Whitecourt 37-22.
The Bandits are back in action on Tuesday, September 19th in Camrose. Game time is 7:00 pm.