Brooks, AB (December 14, 2024) – Johnny Hicks made 28 saves for his sixth shutout of the season as the Brooks Bandits blanked the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 8-0 on Saturday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Hicks is one shutout away from tying the BCHL record of most in a single season, as the Bandits (22-4) won their fourth straight game and final test before the Christmas break.
In the opening frame the Bandits came out to a quick start with a goal from forward Liam Fitzpatrick, who netted his fourth of the season. Just four minutes later, forward Jace Letourneau found the back of the net to double the Bandits lead to 2-0. The Bandits edged the Silverbacks in shots 11-7 in the period but both teams were all over the scoresheet with penalties as there were seven misconducts assessed.
In the second period, defenceman Quinn McCall fired home his third goal of the season to extend the Bandits to a 3-0 lead. Johnny Hicks stood tall in net as he stopped all 17 shots he faced in the period as the Bandits were heavily outshot by a surging Silverback team. At the 12-minute mark Nathan Brown cleaned up a loose puck for his third of the season on a goal that initially waved off, but then deemed to be a good goal.
In the final frame, forward Nathan Free took over ended the night with a five-point game. He scored twice, and the Bandits had a late five minute power play in which they scored three goals, one from Free, Caden Drury and last from Nick Peluso, all within one minute and thirty seconds.
The Bandits 8-0 victory was their largest at home this season. They return to action on Saturday, December 28 to face off against the West Kelowna Warriors.
