October 18, 2024 – The Brooks Bandits remain undefeated 10 games into the season after scoring six goals in the third period in an 8-0 blowout win over the Langley Rivermen on Friday at the George Preston Centre in Langley.
Goaltender Johnny Hicks earned his third shutout of the season stopping all 21 shots he faced, while eight different Bandits scored. The Bandits picked up six of a possible six points on their BC road trip following a 1-0 win over West Kelowna and 3-2 shootout win over Coquitlam at the BCHL Showcase earlier in the week in Chilliwack.
In the first period, Langley put up 23 minutes in the penalties, including an illegal check to head that caused Keith McCinnis to exit the game and send the Bandits on a five-minute power play. Forward Nathan Free picked up the stretch pass from A.J. Lacroix, and found open space on the right side, picking the top corner to put the Bandits ahead 1-0 with just over a minute remaining in the period.
In the second, the Bandits took a tripping penalty but that didn’t stop the Bandits from a fast breakout as they created a three-on-one where forward Parker Lalonde found Nick Peluso in the high slot as he fired home the wrist shot to double the Bandits lead to 2-0. Later in the period, Langley was awarded a penalty shot, but Johnny Hicks came up big with a save to keep the Bandits up 2-0.
The Bandits took full control of the game in the third period as they piled on six goals to secure the victory. It started with forward Jack Good finishing off a pass from behind the net from forward Liam Fitzpatrick, who retrieved the puck on a forecheck. Forward Travis Verbeek extended the lead to 4-0, scoring shortside, dangling the Rivermen goaltender Bodee Weiss for his first of the season. Forward AJ Lacriox got a rebound off the end boards from a Free shot, that he put in the back of the net to make ot 5-0. Defenceman Quinn McCall finished off a nice fake from the blueline, and scored forehand to increase the lead to 6-0. Forward Mathis Dufour scored his first BCHL, tipping a pass from Free. He wasn’t the only one to score his first BCHL goal, as forward Jack Rosensteel put the finishing touches on the night with the 8-0 goal on a pass from McCall.
The Bandits won all three games on the road trip and improve to a 10-0 record. The Bandits continue their season on the road on Saturday, October 26th in Blackfalds against the Bulldogs.
