CAMROSE, AB (September 26, 2019) ? The Brooks Bandits (5-0) kept their undefeated start to the season alive, riding a four-goal second period to a 5-3 win over the Spruce Grove Saints (6-1) at the AJHL Showcase in Camrose on Thursday night.
The Bandits outshot the Saints 29-26 in the game, as Pierce Charleson (Aurora, ON) registered 23 total saves, including 10 in the third period to keep the Bandits ahead. The teams exchanged six power play goals in the game.
Spruce Grove took the lead at the 4:41 mark of the first when Tanner Klassen?s shot on a 2-on-1 was ruled after an officials? discussion to have gone off the left post and the back bar of the Bandit net, rather than the crossbar.
Jake Lee (Owen Sound, ON) tied the game just 1:25 into the second period, though, jamming home a net front rebound past starter Matt Davis. Randy Hernandez (Miami, FL) scored on a power play wrister from the high slot at 8:30 to give Brooks the lead, but Ryan Peckford deked through the Bandit defence and scored on a breakaway at 13:30 to tie the game back up, again on a power play.
But with the Bandits on an extended 5-on-3 to close out the period, Brooks converted twice more; the first a Brayden Krieger (Elora, ON) rebound wrister at 18:34, and the final another Lee goal at 19:18.
Devin Phillips (Raleigh, NC) scored his first goal in a Bandit uniform just 1:14 into the third period from the right side of the net to make it 5-2, while Loeden Schaufler brought the Saints back within two at the 6:40 mark. But Charleson shut the door the rest of the way, with the Bandits holding on for the dramatic win.
The Bandits will go for a 6-0 start on Friday afternoon when they take on the Fort McMurray Oil Barons at 4:30 PM. Pre-game coverage starts at 4:15 on Real Country 105.7.