Mathis Dufour scored twice and added an assist as the games 1st Star, while goaltender Zach Zahara stopped 22 of 23 shots to get the win. The Bandits sit four points back of Penticton for 1st Place as the Vees won 4-2 in West Kelowna.
In the opening period, just before the halfway point, Dufour scored his fifth goal of the season to make 1-0 for the Bandits after cleaning up a loose puck. The goal was waved off, but reviewed after linemate Jack Good was pushed into the Vipers goaltender, and overturned. Just one minute later, forward Parker Lalonde netted his 24th of the year to double the Bandits lead.
In the middle frame, the Bandits continued with the pressure as defenceman Drew Mackie scored from the wall to increase the lead to 3-0. At 7:57, defenceman Nate Yellowaga went top shelf on a pass from Jack Good for his second goal of the season to make it 4-0. Just after the halfway point of the game, forward Liam Fitzpatrick scored his seventh on the year to make it 5-0. The highlight of the night happened with just over six minutes left in the 2nd period. Forward Nathan Free got hooked on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. Free made no mistake and Gwen’s behind the back, top shelf to make it 6-0 Bandits.
In the third period, Dufour got his sixth of the season and second goal of the game to extend the lead to 7-0. Vipers forward Kyren Gronick scored three minutes later to spoil the shutout bid. Final shots were 31-23 Brooks.
The Bandits will head to Cranbrook on Friday, February 28th to take on the Bucks at 7:00 pm. The Bandits next home game is Saturday, March 1st vs Chilliwack, who visit Brooks for the first time ever.
