Brooks, Alberta – The Brooks Bandits will visit the Spruce Grove Saints at the Thompson Family Arena for two games this upcoming weekend. Having visited them last weekend, this will be their third and fourth time playing them in their last four matches. It has been a physical rivalry lately, with two fights occurring last time out.
“I know Spruce Grove and Brooks have a rivalry that goes back about a decade including in the AJHL finals,” said forward Jack Good. “These short times between games ramp up the intensity, you remember things that were said and done more.”
The Saints have been playing well lately, winning seven of their last eight games; however, three of their last five losses came against Brooks. The Bandits snapped Spruce Grove’s six game winning streak last Friday winning 9-6 including five third period goals. Forward Liam Fitzpatrick recorded his 26th, 27th and 28th goals of the season in the frame, putting him in a tie for the league lead with Nikita Ivaschenko (Blackfalds) and Zachary Benayon (Langley).
“[Spruce Grove] is a physical team. I expect that again this weekend,” said Bandits defenceman Lazarus Ebanoidze. “It is going to be a good game.”
Jack Good sits fourth in the league with 56 points, and his 41 assists rank second in the BCHL. He is also the only player not born in 2005 to rank among the league’s top 10 scorers.
He was named BCHL First Star of the Week after recording eight points, including four goals, in his last three games. Good is currently riding an 11-game point streak, with seven of those games being multi-point performances.
“A big thing is our power play has been clicking, a lot of [my points] came on the power play,” said Good of his recent hot streak. “Some of them weren’t pretty, but we found a way to put the puck in the net.”
“It helps when you get to play with good line mates who can get you the puck to help you score and who can bury the puck when you get it to them,” he added.
The Bandits sit second in the Interior East division trailing the Blackfalds Bulldogs by four points, but have two games in hand. Spruce Grove is third at 51 points and has played one more game than Brooks.
The Saints will host their first Teddy Bear Toss in their new arena, and it is difficult for that not to add extra motivation for the group.
“It definitely does [add motivation to the group],” said Ebanoidze Wednesday. “We played against Blackfalds earlier this year and they had a Teddy Bear Toss… We gave up one goal but it was late in the third period. It was nice though, it helped and gave us momentum.”
Chris Battaini leads the way for the Saints with 53 points in 41 games. He played 35 of those games for Powell River before being traded to Spruce Grove before the deadline. Declan Waddick has the next most points with 36 in 39 games.
Puck drop for Friday’s game will be at 7:00 MT, while Saturday’s will be at 6:00 MT. Nathan Crosby and Ryan Reed will have the call for you on FloHockey and New Country 105.7.
Photo Credit: James MacMillan
