September 14, 2024 – Josh Wiebe and Nathan Free both picked up three points each in the Brooks Bandits exhibition finale, resulting in a 7-5 win over the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Saturday at the Eagle Builders Centre.
Goaltender Noah Tegelaar made 20 saves, winning his first start of the preseason. The Bandits went unbeaten in the Preseason, going 4-0.
The Bandits fell behind early in this one with a goal from Brayden Gourley only 4:07 into the period. At the halfway point of the first period, the Bandits took a couple penalties in quick concession which led to another Bulldogs powerplay goal at 10:24 from Jayden Joly. Shortly after, forward Davide Patella was given a 2 minute penalty for high-sticking but the Bandits would flip the switch and scored short-handed thanks to a breakaway, backhand goal from forward Liam Fitzpatrick. Just before the intermission, forward Travis Verbeek finds the back of the net on the power play, cleaning up a loose puck off a Fitzpatirck shot, tying the game 2-2.
Two minutes into the 2nd period, Verbeek picked up his second goal of the game, giving the Bandits their first lead of the game, as he redirected a Nathan Free pass off the rush. Just past the halfway point, forward Josh Wiebe scored forehand to double the lead for the Bandits at 7:05 to 4-2. Tegelaar made a big lead saving stop on the breakaway to keep the Bandits ahead by two.
The 3rd period was nothing short of action as each team tallied three goals. The bulldogs found the net first just 4:56 into the 3rd period to decrease the deficit to one goal. However, the Bandits would quickly fire back with a goal from Nathan Free off the rush. Parker Lalonde found the back of the net with under two minutes remaining in the period and forward Will Lutic sealed the deal with a 150-foot empty net goal. The Bulldogs would score one more just moments later but found themselves too far behind.
The first regular season game for the Bandits takes place in Okotoks on Friday September 20th at 7:00 PM.
