CANMORE, AB (November 11, 2016) – The Brooks Bandits (14-3-3) never trailed, outshooting the Canmore Eagles (10-7-3) by a 40-28 margin and taking a 4-1 decision at the Canmore Recreation Centre on Friday night.
Playing a defenceman short, the Bandits nonetheless opened the scoring just 3:18 into the game when Nic Hamre (Ottawa, ON) snuck a sharp angle shot from the left side of the Canmore net over the shoulder of Eagle goalie Ryan Bontorin for a 1-0 Brooks lead, and Hamre’s 7th point in his last 7 games.
Hamre later left the game with an injury but was replaced on his forward line by Tyler Carangelo (Hamden, CT), who would have a major impact on the scoresheet later on.
Canmore tied the game early in the second on a high shot from the right circle by Colby Livingstone on the power play; but it would be the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night for goalie Mitch Benson (Windsor, ON) who stopped 27 of 28 Canmore shots.
Brooks reclaimed the lead with its first shorthanded goal of the year, when Ty Mappin (Big Valley, AB) carried into the Canmore zone but had his initial shot blocked. He nonetheless chased down the loose puck at the right faceoff circle, turned, and sent a low shot inside the far post for the eventual game-winner.
In the third, Carangelo made his mark, speeding by three Canmore defenders and into the Eagles slot, where his quick shot rang off the left post and then off the roof of the net to give Brooks a 3-1 lead. Parker Foo (Edmonton, AB) fired in an empty net goal from the red line with 45 seconds left in the third to secure the victory.
With the win, the Bandits remain two points behind the Calgary Canucks for first place in the AJHL South, but with three games in hand. They return home Saturday night for a 7:00pm matchup with the Okotoks Oilers at the Centennial Regional Arena. Tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.