Photo Credit: Matt Piotrowski Photgraphy
Written by: Rory McGouran
The Brooks Bandits continued to showcase their growth through the early portions of the 2026-27 campaign, putting together their season-best 60-minute performance in a 5-2 victory over the Spruce Grove Saints.
With the home-opener a week ago dictated by the returning players, the Bandits are now witnessing the acclimation of newcomers building throughout the lineup as six fresh faces recorded at least a point in the victory.
Tomas Racz picked up a pair of goals, his first two as a Bandit. Bobo Tyche, Thomas Holtby, Koby Francis, Sam Lussier, and newly acquired Zachary Spurgeon all added their first career point in a Bandits’ jersey. For Spurgeon, it was an assist in his first career BCHL game. Francis, meanwhile, was making his Bandits debut after being sidelined with an injury stemming from the pre-season.
The nucleus of returners wasn’t without its effect. Michael Kucherawy scored his second of the season in as many games, Alexei Zhukov, who had 45 points in 45 games last season, is up to 3 points in his first 3 games, scoring his first of the year, and Makaio Van Tassel added his 5th of the season, scoring in all three games.
The Bandits completely shutdown the Saints allowing just 11 shots through 40 mintues, and 18 total through 60. Emile Beaunoyer unfortunately lost his shutout bid with just three minutes remaining as two bouncing pucks broke behind him.
The Bandits powerplay was a catalyst once again, scoring twice on a 5-mintue major and finishing 3/8 on the night. Their penalty kill was 4/4 and has now killed off 10 straight times shorthanded.
They will wrap up the weekend on home ice with another divisional matchup set against the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday.
