Blackfalds, Alta. — The Brooks Bandits lost 6-4 to the Blackfalds Bulldogs in a game that saw momentum shift every five minutes. Makaio Van Tassel recorded a hat trick in his first game with Brooks, while Alexei Zhukov, Dmitrijs Dilevka and Zachary Deleau recorded multi-point efforts.
Jeremy Leroux wasted no time, scoring a power-play goal from the doorstep at just 1:58 of the first period. Makaio Van Tassel scored on a cross-ice pass from Dilevka at 9:20. Blackfalds’ Leduc capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity following a turnover at 18:35, sending the Bandits to the first intermission with a one-goal lead.
Van Tassel converted on a penalty shot after being tripped up on a breakaway at 8:22. Toskos responded for the Bulldogs at 14:48 before DiPaulo tied the game at three at 18:46.
Blackfalds jumped out to an early lead in the third, with Brunn scoring two goals less than a minute apart (4:13 and 5:01). Van Tassel completed his hat trick at 8:27, but it wasn’t enough, as Gauthier converted an empty-net goal to seal the 6-4 victory.
The Bandits are back in action tomorrow evening for their home opener when they host the Okotoks Oilers. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. MT.
