Brooks, AB (November 8, 2024) – The Brooks Bandits wore their alternate uniforms for the first time this season, while Johnny Hicks’ 20 save performance powered the team to a 2-0 win over the Okotoks Oilers on Friday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Hicks held the fort in the 1st period as the Bandits were outshot 10-6, eventually leading to his fourth shutout of the year. The Bandits have won five straight games and improved to 15-1 on the season.
In the second period, chances came both ways as defenceman Matej Teply shot one off the crossbar halfway through the period. A few moments later on the ensuing Bandits 5-on-3 powerplay, forward Nathan Free received the pass in the high slot from forward Nick Peluso and fired a wrister low glove side to put the Bandits ahead by a score of 1-0.
At the start of the third period, defenceman Keith McInnis picked up the drop pass from defenceman Mathieu Taillefer to fire a top corner wrist shot on the short side of goaltender Simon Westling to double the Bandits lead. Despite Okotoks pulling Westling for the extra attacker, the Oilers were unable to get on the board.
The Bandits head to Spruce Grove on Saturday, November 9th to take on the Saints. Game time is 7:00 PM at Grant Fuhr Arena.
Photo credit: Matt Piotrowski
