OKOTOKS, AB (February 21, 2020) – Despite a hard working effort and a stellar goaltender performance, the Brooks Bandits suffered a 4-3 setback to the Okotoks Oilers Friday night at Pason Centennial Arena.
Goaltender Pierce Charleson (Aurora, ON) made 35 saves, while forward Brayden Krieger (Elora, ON) scored twice in the loss.
After the opening 7:40 were scoreless, Krieger was awarded a penalty shot. The Rookie of the Year finalist converted, scoring on the forehand to make it 1-0 Brooks. However, five minutes later Bandit defenceman Jake Kustra (Lethbridge, AB) was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a blow to the head penalty on the Oilers’ Liam Freeborn.
On the subsequent powerplay, Okotoks scored twice. First it was Freeborn shooting in a cross ice pass at 14:23, followed by Noah Kim goal at 16:45, who scored after his clearing attempt was deflected off a Bandit and into the net to make it 2-1 Oilers.
Early in the 2nd period, after a Corson Ceulemans (Beaumont, AB) goal was waved off due to the net being off, the Bandits would find the equalizer. Forward Ryan McAllister (London, ON) wristed a high slot goal at 1:02 to tie the game 2-2, the’ only goal of the period.
The Oilers took a 3-2 lead at the 8:34 mark of the 3rd period after forward Jack Works finished off a pass from behind the net. Then at 10:17, defenceman Eric Parker fired a clapper that tipped into the net to make it 4-2.
Brooks got one back at 13:14 as Krieger blasted a point shot that went top right shelf. But that would be as close as the Bandits would get.
Final shots were 39-32 Oilers.
With the loss, the Bandits have officially clinched 2nd in the AJHL’s South Division, and will receive a bye in the 1st round.
The Bandits will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday (February 22nd) when they visit the Calgary Canucks.
Game time is 7:00 PM, with live coverage starting at 6:45 PM on Martin Chrysler Bandits Hockey on Real Country 105.7 FM.