Cranbrook, BC – The Brooks Bandits defeated the Cranbrook Bucks 4-3 in overtime to push the Bucks to the brink of elimination. Dmitrijs Dilevka scored the OT winner to complete his multi-point effort.
Harijs Cjunskis started things off early for the Bandits when he was left uncovered in the high slot and ripped a wrist shot top corner past Jason Tremblay (4:44). Cadel Gourlay responded for the Bucks with a goal at 10:09 and sent the game to the first intermission tied at one.
Nathan Simm gave the Bucks a lead with a goal at 2:03 into the second period before Frantisek Albrecht tied it back up with a tap in goal on the doorstep off of a beautiful assist from Dilevka. Liam Fitzpatrick buried one in front of the net at 18:37 on a feed from Jack Good to send Brooks to the second intermission with a 3-2 lead.
Adam Csabi scored the lone goal of the third period on a breakaway goal that beat Zach Zahara.
Dilevka wasted no time in overtime with a seeing eye shot that found its way past Tremblay and gave the Bandits a 4-3 win and a 3-1 series lead.
The Bandits look to eliminate the Bucks Friday night at the Western Financial Place. Puck drop is at 7:00 MT.
