Brooks, Alberta – The Brooks Bandits will host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the first time ever Friday before visiting the Okotoks Oilers on Saturday. The Bandits sit at 4-1 and are atop the Interior East Division with eight points. They have won four straight since dropping their season opener to Blackfalds.
Koby Francis posted five points, including two goals, last time out against the Crusaders and leads the BCHL in points per game with 2.67. He is tied for 15th in the BCHL in scoring while having played in just three games. Zachary Deleau also has eight points and is leading all BCHL defencemen in points while appearing in fewer games than everyone else in the top 15 (5).
Van Tassel still leads all Bandits in scoring with seven goals and has scored in every game this season. He will look to extend his goal streak to six this Friday.
The Bandits are responsible for the top four power-play assisters in the league this season (Dmitrijs Dilevka – 5, Alexei Zhukov – 5, Francis – 4, Deleau – 4) and the top power-play scorer (Van Tassel – 3), thanks to an incredibly potent man advantage so far this season. Their 15 power-play goals rank first in the Interior East Division, more than doubling the next best (Blackfalds – 6), and are first in the BCHL (Prince George – 10). Currently clicking at a 42.9% clip, they rank second in the league behind the Spruce Kings. The Bandits are at 81.8% on the penalty kill, which is second in their division and around league average throughout the BCHL. The Vernon Vipers boast the best penalty kill with a perfect 100%, including scoring four goals shorthanded.
Thomas Holtby was named captain this past week and is becoming more and more comfortable during his time in Brooks.
“All the fans and billets have been super welcoming,” said the Frederick, Maryland native. “It is honestly better than anything I could’ve imagined… It feels like home.”
Holtby has three points over his last three games, including a two-goal performance against Sherwood Park in the last home game.
“It was a little surprising considering how strong our leadership group is, and you know I feel like any of the [other captains] could step up at any time and be a leader,” Holtby added about being named captain. “Obviously, I am super happy that I was the guy chosen.”
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs flew to Calgary Thursday and presumably will be stationed there for the first part of their four game Alberta road trip. They visit Brooks on Friday and play Blackfalds on Saturday before heading to Nisku for the BCHL Showcase, where they will play the Spruce Grove Saints and Vernon Vipers. They will be bussing back to the island on an estimated 16-hour trip.
The Oilers will play just one game this weekend when they host the Bandits before playing Powell River and Chilliwack during the showcase.
The Oilers are tied for second in the BCHL with five points and have won two of their six games so far this season. The Bulldogs are 2-3-0 and are tied for last in the Coastal West Division.
Puck drop for both games will be at 7:00 p.m. MT.
