October 26, 2024 – The Brooks Bandits win streak is snapped at 10 games following a 4-3 setback to the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Saturday at the Eagle Builders Centre, resulting in the Bandits first loss of the season.
Goaltender Mikus Vecvanags made 18 saves, while the Bandits had goals from A.J. Lacroix, Liam Fitzpatrick and Jack Good.
In the first period, the Bandits had the edge on shots 14-5 but the Bulldogs were the only ones able to find the back of the net with a powerplay goal off a rebound by forward Jared Langdon halfway through the period.
In the second period, Langdon scored his 2nd goal of the game to double the Bulldogs lead to 2-0. Only 17 seconds later, Bandits forward A.J. Lacroix tapped home the loose puck on the side of the net from a Parker Lalonde tip to cut the deficit to 2-1.
However, the Bulldogs grew their lead to 4-1 following goals from Alex Dimitriadis and a four-on-three powerplay marker from defenceman Aidan Souligny, who was able to find the back of the net with only two seconds remaining in the period on a forehand shot.
In the third period, the Bandits came out flying as forward Liam Fitzpatrick gathered the loose puck in the high slot to fire top corner to cut the lead to 4-2. Just three minutes later, Brooks forward Jack Good found the puck in the same spot as Fitzpatrick to score his third goal of the season. The Bandits had a late push with the empty net as Vecvanags looked on but ran into a 43 save performance by Bulldogs starter Waylon Esche.
The Bandits look to bounce back on Sunday, October 27th when they host the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Game time is 4:00 pm at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Credit: Tom Grimsdale (Ideal Images Red Deer)