BROOKS, AB (February 26, 2022) – Ryan McAllister scored twice, but the Drumheller Dragons broke a tie in the 3rd period to hang on for a 3-2 win over the Bandits on Saturday at the Centennial Regional Arena in the final game of the regular season.
Brooks (52-6-2) finishes 1st overall in the AJHL, splitting the season series with the Dragons 3-3. Max Beckford made 14 saves in the Bandit net.
The Bandits opened the scoring at 7:38 of the 1st period, as McAllister (Western Michigan) pounced on a rebound off the end boards on an attempt from Ethan Lund (Niagara), finding the back of the net to make it 1-0. Shots were 6-2 Brooks in the period.
Drumheller tied it at 10:05 as forward Ty Daneault finished a behind-the-net pass to tie the game 1-1. McAllister was denied on a breakaway by goaltender Garrett Fuller in the dying seconds of the 2nd to keep it tied. Shots were 18-7 Brooks in the period.
The Dragons took a 2-1 lead at 5:04, as Kody Willick fired in a forehand shot from the right circle. But McAllister would answer, sniping a low, right corner shot to tie the game 2-2 at 8:35. The game didn’t stay tied long, as forward Luke Fennig finished off a one-on-none play, scoring on the backhand to make it 3-2. Brooks pulled Beckford for the extra attacker, but were unable to get the equalizer. Final shots were 38-17 Brooks.
The Bandits have a bye through the 1st round of the playoffs, with Game 1 of the South Division Semi-Finals tentatively scheduled for March 18th.
Prior to the game, the Bandits handed out their team awards:
Top Forward – TJ Hughes
Rookie of the Year – Aiden Fink
Most Improved – Dario Beljo
Top Scorer – Ryan McAllister
Hustler Award – Hunter Wallace
Top Defenceman – Zach Bookman
Fan Favourite – Devin Phillips
Top Defensive Forward – Devin Phillips
Unsung Hero Award – Ethan Barwick & Ethan Lund
3 Stars Award – TJ Hughes
MVP – Ryan McAllister
Photo: Em Duncan