Bulldogs face grave 7-2 loss against the Bandits on road trip
Article Credit: Alessia Proietti, rdnewsNOW
Photo Credit: Scott Stimson, Blackfalds Bulldogs
The Blackfalds Bulldogs had a grave 7-2 loss against the Brooks Bandits on Friday night at the Centennial Regional Arena.
The game marks the second of four road trip games over a three-week period, with their first as a win 6-3 against the Crusaders on Monday.
The Bandits opened the scoreboard 1-0 in the first period when Mirko Buttazzoni earned a goal on Bulldogs goaltender Wilson Maxfield at 5:15.
Around two minutes later, Liam Fitzpatrick doubled the home team’s lead to 2-0.
However, with Brook’s Keith McInnis on a penalty for tripping, Blackfalds’ Brendan Ross scored his seventh goal of the BCHL season off a rebound on the doorstep of Bandits netminder Sam Scopa. Dakota MacIntosh assisted the power play goal at 9:20, cutting their deficit to 2-1.
Even with Brooks’ Brock Souch in the box for interfering from the bench, McInnis still managed to score a goal for the team, shorthanded, at 15:45, pushing their lead 3-1.
The Bandits were greatly outshooting the Bulldogs 15-9 after 20 minutes of play.
Just passed the halfway point of the second period, Brooks’ Josh Wiebe increased their lead 4-1.
With two minutes left in regulation, the Bandits’ Logan Sawyer scored a goal for a 5-1 lead against the Bulldogs.
Brooks outshot Blackfalds again in the middle frame 14-3.
The Bulldogs swapped out goaltender Maxfield for Gabe Gratton at the start of the final period.
But at 8:17, the Bandits’ Buttazzoni scored a goal, making their lead 6-1.
With Blackfalds’ Jayden Joly sent to the box for high-sticking, Brooks’ Hunter Wallace capitalized on the man advantage at 14:40. The power play goal gave the home team a 7-1 lead.
Just 13 seconds later, the Bulldogs’ Luke Dahlen scored his third this season from the left circle. With Ryan Neumann getting the helper, the team was now behind 7-2.
Blackfalds outshot Brooks 13-11 this time in the final period.
Shots on goal
BFB: 25
BRK: 40
Power play
BFB: 1/8
BRK: 1/7
Three stars
1st: Keith McInnis (BRK) – 1G, 2A
2nd: Mirko Buttazzoni (BRK) – 3G
3rd: Brendan Ross (BFB) – 1G
The Bandits remain in first place this BCHL season with a record of 7-1-0-0 while the Bulldogs sit in third at 4-3-1-0.
The Bulldogs will continue their road trip to play against the Spruce Grove Saints on Wednesday at the Grant Fuhr Arena. Face off is at 7 p.m. with the broadcast live on Mixlr.
