Photo Credit: Scott Stimson, Blackfalds Bulldogs
Article Credit: Alessia Proietti, rdnewsNOW
The Blackfalds Bulldogs fell 3-2 to the Brooks Bandits on Sunday at the Centennial Regional Arena.
In the first period, although both teams had power play opportunities, none were capitalized, leaving the game at zero.
The Bandits were outshooting the Bulldogs 15-8 after 20 minutes of play.
At 7:25 in the second period, with Blackfalds’ Trent LeDrew in the box for hooking, Brooks’ Nathan Free scored a goal on Bulldogs netminder Wilson Maxfield. The power play goal put the team in a 1-0 lead.
Shortly after at 9:28, Brooks’ Free scored once again, doubling their lead 2-0.
But just 12 seconds later, Blackfalds’ Josh Knittig tipped in a goal while screening Brook’s goaltender Johnny Hicks. With the assists claimed by Kody Willick and Carter Cormier, the team was now on the scoreboard 2-1 behind the Bandits.
With the Bandits’ Free given a high-sticking penalty, the Bulldogs’ Dakota MacIntosh scored a power play goal with a one-timer from the faceoff circle. At 15:23, Tanner Willick and Cormier got the helpers to tie the game 2-2.
Brooks slightly outshot Blackfalds 14-10 in the middle frame.
Late in the final period, the Bandits’ Ty Mason scored a goal at 16:18, putting the team in a 3-2 lead. Although the Bulldogs pulled out goaltender Maxfield within the final two minutes of regulation, it was not enough to tie the game once more.
Brooks outshot the Bulldogs 10-8 in the third period.
Shots on goal
BFB: 26
BRK: 39
Power play
BFB: 1/2
BRK: 1/3
Three stars
1st: Nathan Free (BRK) – 2G
2nd: Wilson Maxfield (BFB) – SV 36
3rd: Carter Cormier (BFB) – 2A
The Bulldogs are now 1-1-0-0 for the new BCHL season while the Bandits are 1-0-0-0.
The Bulldogs will get back on the road for their next game against the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Wednesday at the Sherwood Park Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. with the broadcast live on Mixlr.
