CAMROSE, AB (January 26, 2022) – TJ Hughes broke a team record for most goals in a single season, but the night was spoiled by a 6-3 loss to the Camrose Kodiaks at Encana Arena on Wednesday.
After going down 5-2 in the 2nd period, the Bandits (41-4-1) rallied with a goal and 22-3 shot advantage in the 3rd, but an empty netter from Robert Kincaid sealed the win for Camrose, snapping a seven game winless streak against Brooks.
Hughes (Mercyhurst) opened the scoring at 5:46, finishing a net-front pass from Dario Beljo on the powerplay to make it 1-0 Brooks. Hughes became the first Bandit to score 50 goals in a season, surpassing Jeff Marler’s team record of 49 set in 2000-01. Hughes accomplished the feat in 46 games.
Camrose tied it up at 12:22 on the powerplay, as forward Michael Horon scored off the rush on the left wing to make it 1-1. But Brooks retook the lead at 16:25 on the powerplay, as forward Brendan Mairs sniped a left circle forehand shot, assisted by Hughes to make it 2-1. Shots were 12-9 Brooks.
The Kodiaks tied the game 2-2 just 1:48 into the 2nd, as Mathieu Gautier tipped a point shot past Bandits starter Ethan Barwick on the powerplay. Camrose took their first lead at 12:15 as Robert Kincaid took a point shot that was tipped in to make it 3-2. The Kodiaks increased their lead to 4-2 at 15:01 on a two-on-one, finished off by Horon. Then with 48 seconds left in the period, defenceman Blake Kondor scored from the right point to make it 5-2. Shots were 13-9 Camrose.
The Bandits got one back at 9:27 as forward Noah Hackett (Niagara) fired in a right circle shot to cut the deficit to 5-3. But despite outshooting Camrose 22-3 in the period, the Bandits gave up an empty net goal with 1:15 left, sealing the 6-3 defeat.
The Bandits road trip continues this weekend, with a visit to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Friday, January 29 (7:30 pm) and then a stop in Bonnyville to face the Pontiacs on Saturday, January 29 (7:00 pm). Both games can be heard on Real Country 105.7 FM.
RHCphoto / Rob Raincock