BROOKS, AB (May 7, 2021) – Breck McKinley scored a go-ahead goal with just over six minutes left in regulation to break a 3-3 tie, and despite pressure with the extra attacker, the Brooks Bandits couldn’t tie and dropped their first game at home of the regular season, falling 4-3 to the Spruce Grove Saints on Friday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
The loss snaps the Bandits season-high 10 game win streak, as their record is now (16-2), with the Saints improving to (9-10). Bandits goaltender Jared Whale made 20 saves, while Saints starter Tyler Palmer stopped 33 pucks.
Highlights presented by Days Inn & Suites Brooks:
Brooks jumped out to a 1-0 lead thanks to an Owen Cole (UMass-Lowell) goal, who fired in a right circle shot through the five-hole at 15:54. Then, with 22 seconds left in the frame, forward Ryan McAllister (Western Michigan) knocked in a puck Palmer couldn’t cover to give the Bandits a 2-0 lead. Shots were 16-7 Brooks in the 1st.
The Saints got on the board 5:11 into the 2nd period, as defenceman Logan Acheson scored on a wraparound to make it 2-1. They tied it 2-2 at 15:17 as forward Jayden Davis scored on a rebound. That was followed by another Davis goal then at 19:04, who buried a shot from the slot to give Spruce a 3-2 lead. Shots were 13-10 Saints in the 2nd.
The Bandits tied the game 3-3 thanks to a Brendan Maris goal at 9:52, as he knocked in his 9th of the season. But with 6:08 left in regulation, McKinley redirected a point shot past Whale to give Spruce Grove the 4-3 lead, which they would hold. Final shots were 36-24 Bandits.
The rematch goes Saturday at the CRA, puck drop is 7:00 pm. Spectators are not allowed at AJHL games due to government restrictions, but live coverage on Real Country 105.7 FM and Hockeytv.com begins at 6:45 pm.