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Bandits secure 9th straight victory with dramatic shootout winner by A.J. Lacroix

Oct 17, 2024 – Johnny Hicks secured his seventh win on the season and Matej Teply came in clutch to tie the game late as the Brooks Bandits edged the Coquitlam Express 3-2 in a contest that went to a five-round shootout on Thursday at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, BC.

The Bandits remain undefeated on the season at 9-0, but had to erase a 2-0 deficit to earn the win. Brooks won both of their BCHL Showcase games, having defeated West Kelowna 1-0 the night before.

In the first period, the shots were heavily favoured for the Bandits, but the team couldn’t find a way to score. Coquitlam was able to bury two goals one on the power play by defenceman Sam Frandina and the other at even strength by forward Sam Colwell.

As the second period rolled on the Bandits had full control as it took 14:24 before the Express had their first shot of the period. Forward Parker Lalonde was able to fire the puck into the back of the net on the power play with a pass from Ethan Beyer to record his league leading 11th goal of the season.

In the third period, the Bandits continued to lay on the pressure and were held off the scoresheet until late in the period when defenceman Matej Teply was set up on a 2-on-1 with Ethan Beyer, where he fired a wrist shot into the top left corner to tie the game at two.

Heading into overtime, the Express controlled the pace of play as they held the puck for the majority of the time to set up and regroup but were unable to find a way through.

In the Shootout it took 5 rounds until new forward A.J. Lacroix scored the go-ahead goal and Hicks shut the door five rounds in a row to secure the comeback victory over the Express.

The Bandits head to Langley tomorrow to take on the Rivermen at 7:15 PM PDT. Nathan Crosby and Ken Fleury will have the call on New Country 105.7 and on Flo Hockey.