OKOTOKS, AB (September 24, 2016) – Despite a season-high 50 shots on goal, the Brooks Bandits (3-1-1) fell for just the second time this season, 2-1 in overtime to the Okotoks Oilers (3-1) on the road Saturday night.
A flurry of Bandit scoring chances, particularly in the final 40 minutes, were turned aside in a 49-save performance for Oiler goaltender Riley Morris. Brooks outshot the Oilers 50-20 in the game, including a 29-8 margin in the second and third periods combined.
A scoreless first gave way to a second period that featured the game’s only two regulation-time goals. First, Oiler forward Danton Davis was left open behind the Bandit net for a wraparound try that was stopped by goalie Tony Rehm (Sun Prairie, WI). But Davis was similarly open for a rebound opportunity, which he backhanded into an open net to make it a 1-0 game.
The Bandits responded at the 11:48 mark on an odd-man rush on the power play, when Ty Mappin (Big Valley, AB) fed a puck to the high slot for a trailing Cale Makar (Calgary, AB). His quick wrist shot skipped off of the skate of teammate Charlie Marchand (Calgary, AB) and bounced past Morris to equalize the game.
The third period began with the Bandits not allowing a shot on goal until more than 11 minutes into the period. Despite killing off 8 Oiler power plays (the Bandits had 6), the Bandits had chance after chance either fly wide, hit Morris, or on two occasions, the post or crossbar.
In overtime, a three-on-one rush led to a Cale Makar centering pass to Parker Foo, whose point blank tip on goal was stopped by Morris. The rebound popped back to Makar, but his quick backhand chance was also deflected wide.
Seconds later, the Oilers created a two-on-one advantage down low, and a cross crease pass found Trey Degraaf, who potted the overtime winner into a wide open net in the final minute of overtime to give Okotoks the extra point.
The Bandits are next in action on Wednesday night at home hosting the Calgary Canucks at the CRA at 7:00 PM. It’s the team’s first Wild Wednesday of the season, with half-price walkup tickets, half-price beer, and a variety of merchandise and food discounts as well. Tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.