BROOKS, AB (May 17, 2024) – Despite outshooting the opposition 40-28, the Brooks Bandits suffered a 4-3 setback to the Sherwood Park Crusaders in Game 3 of the BCHL Alberta Cup Final on Friday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Logan Sawyer, Jordan Hughesman and Mirko Buttazzoni scored the Bandits goals, while Johnny Hicks (Kamloops, BC) made 24 saves in the loss. The Bandits lead the best-of-seven series 2 games to 1. Game 4 is Saturday, May 18th in Brooks, with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday, May 22nd, also in Brooks.
Sawyer (Orangeville, ON) opened the scoring on the powerplay 3:50 into the game, sniping a forehand shot from a pass from Nick Peluso (Rochester, NY). However, 24 seconds later, Crusaders forward Cameron Caron tied the game 1-1 on a one-timer from the slot. Sherwood Park took a 2-1 lead at 11:54 as defenceman Connor Gengle scored from the half wall off a face-off. The Crusaders added to their lead at 16:57, as forward Ryder Ringor scored a shorthanded breakaway goal to make it 3-1. The Bandits got one back at 18:57, as Hughesman (Winnipeg, MB) tapped in a Sawyer pass at the net front to cut the lead to 3-2.
Sherwood Park went up 4-2 at 12:52 of the 2nd period, as forward Zac Maxwell roofed a puck from the side of the net. Brooks defenceman Hughie Hooker (Brandon, MB) came close to scoring on a chance from the left circle, but hit the right post.
Buttazzoni (Langley, BC) made it 4-3 at 8:42 of the 3rd period, cleaning up a rebound from a Parker Lalonde (Aberdeen, SK) shot. But despite the Bandits pulling Hicks for the extra attacker, they were unable to solve Sherwood Park starter Erick Roest again, falling 4-3.
Game 4 of the series is Saturday, May 18th at 7:00 pm at the CRA, with Game 5 following on Wednesday, May 22nd, also in Brooks.