Photo Credit: Matt Piotrowski Photography
Written by: Rory McGouran
In the first meeting of franchise history between the Brooks Bandits and Cowichan Valley Capitals, a last-minute game-tying goal led to a 4-3 overtime loss for the Bandits.
The Bandits were heavily outshot by the Capitals, who were playing their fourth game in five days on Saturday, conceding the shot total 52 to 25.
For the 8th time in their 10 total games the Bandits scored the opening goal taking a 1-0 lead early in the first period with Jeremy Leroux 5th of the season. The opening goal came on the Bandits lone powerplay of the game.
The Capitals capitalized on one of their four powerplays throughout the evening. Gleb Semenko tied the game in midway through the first, and Roan Burgess picked up their powerplay marker in the second for a 2-1 Cowichan lead. This was just the second time of the season that the Bandits trailed heading into the final frame.
It appeared the Bandits were gearing to take advantage of the Capitals’ busy schedule; two goals in 40 seconds from Alexandre Monarque (2) and Mike Kucherawy (4) gave the Bandits a 3-2 lead. However, with 57 seconds left and the goaltender pulled, Carter Dekay broke into the Bandits zone and slipped a backhand passed Emile Beaunoyer to tie the game and force overtime.
Overtime lasted 2:11. Both teams controlled possession with an opportunity to end it until Kole Keen’s shot from the high slot found the back of the net giving the Capitals a 4-3 victory.
The Bandits fall to 0-2 in their pair of overtime games, holding an overall record of 5-3-2.
Their next game will be back at home on Friday, October 23rd against the Vernon Vipers
