Sherwood Park, AB (January 11, 2025) – Despite a 1st period that saw the Brooks Bandits score three times, the team suffered their first road regulation loss since the end of November 30th, falling 5-3 to the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday at the Randy Rosen Rink.
In the opening frame, the Crusaders got out to a quick start scoring in just over a minute thanks to Malachi McKinnon goal off the rush. Just 26 seconds later, Bandits forward Caden Drury scored top shelf for his sixth goal of the season to bring the Bandits back level 1-1. Just moments later, McKinnon scored on a back door one-timer for his second of the game, giving the Crusaders a 2-1 lead. Just under four minutes later, forward AJ Lacroix backhanded the puck into the back of the net to tie the game 2-2. Just over one minute later, and the Bandits on the penalty kill, forward Parker Lalonde gave a lead pass to centre Davide Patella, who drove to the net and tucked home the go-ahead goal, continuing his point streak to five games and giving Brooks a 3-2 lead. With just over three minutes to play in the period, the Crusaders were given a five minute penalty as Davide Patella got a major and a game misconduct for cross-checking, Matthew Frost scored his ninth on the year bringing the Crusaders back level at three each.
In the second period, John Alex Banks fired the wrister from the blue line and it found its way past Zahara to put the Crusaders back in the lead with the power play goal 4-3. The Bandits had potential goals from Cooper Pierson, who’s shot was deemed to not have crossed the goal line, while captain Ethan Beyer scored, but it was waved off for goaltender interference.
In the final frame, McKinnon scored his third goal of the game with a back door tap in to double up the Crusaders lead just over three minutes into the period.
The Bandits will have no games next week as Parker Lalonde, Nathan Free and Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou head to Salmon Arm for the All-Star game and Top Prospects game. The team returns home on January 24 to take on the Penticton Vees in a top of the standings match-up.
Photo credit: Target Photography
