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Bandits capture 2023-24 Alberta Cup following 7-3 win over Crusaders in Game 5

BROOKS, AB (May 22, 2024) – For the third straight season, the Brooks Bandits have claimed an Alberta Championship on home ice.

The Bandits erased a 2-1 deficit in the 1st period, rallying to beat the Sherwood Park Crusaders 7-3 in Game 5 on Wednesday at the Centennial Regional Arena. The Bandits win the best-of-seven series 4 games to 1, securing the inaugural Alberta Cup.

The back-and-forth game saw Brooks leading 4-3 at the second intermission before the Bandits scored three straight in the final frame to pull away. Mirko Buttazzoni led the charge for Brooks in Game 5, scoring two goals and adding an assist for a three-point night. Team captain Nic DeGraves also had three points on a goal and a pair of assists.

2006-born Brooks forward Logan Sawyer was named the Alberta Playoffs Most Valuable Player, finishing the postseason with a division-leading 15 points in 12 games on seven goals and eight assists.

Bandits forwards Nathan Free and Caelen Fitzpatrick each finished in a tie for second in Alberta postseason scoring with 13 points apiece.

Brooks now awaits the winner of the Fred Page Cup Final between the Surrey Eagles and Penticton Vees, which is currently tied 2-2. The B.C. winner will travel to Alberta to faceoff with the Bandits in the Rocky Mountain Challenge, a best-of-three season-ending series from May 31 to June 2. All Rocky Mountain Challenge games will be played at Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks.