CANMORE, AB (February 1, 2022) – Ryan McAllister had a five point game, TJ Hughes reached 100 points on the season and the Brooks Bandits got back in the win column, tripling the Eagles 6-2 on Tuesday at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
McAllister (Western Michigan) now has 110 points on the year to lead the AJHL in scoring, while Hughes (Mercyhurst) became just the second Bandit ever to reach 100 points in a single season, which McAllister achieved last week.
The win improves the Bandits record to 43-5-1, and was also the team’s 20th road win of the season.
Bandits defenceman Zach Bookman (Merrimack) opened the scoring just 3:07 into the game, taking a neutral zone feed and dangling past the Eagle defender and cutting to the backhand to beat Canmore starter Andreai Proctor-Ramirez to make it 1-0. Brooks doubled the lead to 2-0 at 15:25 as forward Brendan Mairs gained the zone, leaving the puck for McAllister who sniped a right circle shot to double the lead. Shots were 18-8 Brooks in the frame.
Brooks defenceman Boston Buckberger (Wisconsin) tapped in a loose puck off an Aiden Fink right circle attempt to make it 3-0 at 6:49 of the 2nd period. The Bandits continued to add to their dominant period at 11:09 as Hughes took a feed from the point from McAllister, moved in front of the net and waited out Proctor-Ramirez, scoring on the forehand to make it 4-0 Bandits. Shots were 26-4 Brooks in the period.
The Eagles spoiled Bandits goaltender Ethan Barwick’s shutout bid at 7:40 on the powerplay, as Lane Paddison scored from the net front to cut the Brooks lead to 4-1. That was followed by a Zachary Cunningham goal at 12:31, cleaning up a loose puck in the slot to make it a 4-2 game. But Brooks fought back, getting back to back goals from McAllister. First he scored off the rush from the left circle at 14:16 to make it 5-2, and then completed the hat trick at 17:54, shooting from the high slot through traffic to make it 6-2, the final. Shots were 12-10 in the 3rd and 56-22 overall.
Postgame comments from #BrooksBandits forward Ryan McAllister following the big win in Canmore!@TheAJHL pic.twitter.com/CgHfwNReBk
— Brooks Bandits (@BrooksBandits) February 2, 2022
The Bandits return home for two games this weekend. First off, they welcome the Calgary Canucks on Friday (Feb 4) for a 7:00 pm start. Then on Saturday (Feb 5), they host the Okotoks Oilers with a pregame ceremony honouring the players parents, who will be in attendance. Game time is 7:00 pm both nights at the Centennial Regional Arena.