BROOKS, AB (May 31, 2024) – Five different players scored for the Brooks Bandits, who opened the 2024 Rocky Mountain Challenge with a 5-2 win over the Surrey Eagles on Friday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Logan Sawyer, Parker Lalonde, Jordan Hughesman, Davide Patella and Hunter Wallace all scored, while Johnny Hicks (Kamloops, BC) made 18 saves as the Bandits outshot Surrey 37-20. Brooks leads the best-of-three series 1-0, with a chance to win the Championship on Saturday.
Sawyer (Orangeville, ON) opened the scoring just 56 seconds in, tapping in a Nathan Free (Calgary, AB) pass shortside on Eagles starter Ajeet Gundarah to make it 1-0. Caelan Fitzpatrick (Moose Jaw, SK) had a breakaway chance, but was denied as the Sawyer goal held up as the only of the 1st.
It took 12:49 of the 2nd period before another was scored. Forward Parker Lalonde (Aberdeen, SK) tapped in a shot from the mouth of the net, finishing a Mirko Buttazzoni (Langley, BC) pass from the point. Just eight seconds later, forward Jordan Hughesman (Winnipeg, MB) made it 3-0, tapping a Patella (Laval, QC) pass off the rush, chasing Gundarah, who was replaced by Colton Jugnauth. Surrey didn’t go away, as defenceman Carter Frankiw scored on the powerplay at 19:22, followed by a Caden Cranston goal from the right circle at 19:52 to cut the lead to 4-2.
Wallace (Oak Lake, MB) sealed the deal at 18:57 of the 3rd period, scoring on the empty net to make it 5-2.
Game 2 of the Rocky Mountain Challenge goes Saturday, June 1st at the CRA. Game time is 7:00 pm.
