Spruce Grove, AB (November 9, 2024) – Seven different players scored as the Brooks Bandits won their sixth straight game, defeating the Spruce Grove Saints 7-3 on Saturday at the Grant Fuhr Arena.
Goaltender Mikus Vecvanags made 35 saves in his fourth start of the season as the Bandits improved to 16-1 on the season.
The first period had a busy scoresheet as both teams started on the front foot. Only 2:12 into the period the Saints were the first team to add a goal on the board as Teo Pisani scored his first goal of the season tapping in a goal. Just over a minute later, forward Nick Peluso fired home the one-timer on the powerplay for his 11th goal on the season from the Nathan Free cross-ice feed. Under 40 seconds later, forward Michal Liscinsky scored his first BCHL goal assisted by Will Lutic who got his first BCHL point. Just moments later, defencemen Mathieu Taillefer was able to find the loose puck in the blue paint to tuck home his first of the season. Another minute later the Saints were able to fire back as Adam Lang scored his first of the season to cut the lead to 3-2.
In the second, there was no scoring at the halfway point as Vecvanags was able to make a sliding stop to keep the Bandits ahead in the game. Just after the timeout, forward Liam Fitzpatrick fed forward Davide Patella with the cross ice pass to double up the Bandits lead at the nine minute mark to 4-2. Later, Vecvanags made a glove save on a Carson Lloyd chance to preserve the lead. With under a minute left in the period, defenceman Keith McInnis with time and space fired a heavy slap shot to the top corner to bring the Bandits to 5-2.
In the third period, forward Parker Lalonde found the top corner to pot his league leading 14th goal of the season. Later in the period, forward Nathan Free gets a breakaway opportunity and he doesn’t miss to make it 7-2. Just moments later, the Saints got one back from Alexy Lachaine to make it 7-3.
The team is back in action next week on Saturday as they face the Cranbrook Bucks for the first time this season at home in the CRA at 7 PM.
