SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
The BCHL Bandits have gone undefeated in their last three games, have officially moved into second and have earned a spot in the playoffs.
It is the first time the Bandits are in second place since a core group of players left the team in December to play in other leagues following a rule change by the NCAA.
The Bandits and Bulldogs met twice last week.
On Family Day Monday Brooks blanked Blackfalds 6-0 in Blackfalds and at home on Friday the Bandits defeated the Bulldogs 9-2.
Some of the Bandits notable highlights from the pair of Bulldog games include goalie Chris Quizi stopping a penalty shot and Nathan Free getting a pair of assists and a hat trick; his second of the season. His last one was in November against the Penticton Vees.
On Friday at home Bandits Keith McInnis and Cooper Pierson each scored two goals and Dante Siciliano scored his first goal of the season while Quizi earned his sixth consecutive win. The game saw a couple of goals reviewed, one by Bulldogs’ Nicholas DiPaolo and one by Parker Lalonde. Both goals were good.
On Saturday in Brooks the Bandits defeated the Vernon Vipers 7-1.
Mathis Dufour scored the team’s first and last goal of the game and had an assist.
Other goal scorers were Parker Lalonde, Drew Mackie, Nate Yellowaga, Liam Fitzpatrick and Nathan Free scored on a penalty shot.
As of Sunday the top three teams, Brooks, Penticton Vees and Trail Smoke Eaters have all clinched a playoff spot in the Interior East Division.
Brooks, in second place, is four points behind the Vees and five points ahead of Trail.
