By Scott Roblin

Teddy Bear Toss win highlights strong first half for Bandits

Dec 12, 2017 | 5:20 PM

BROOKS, AB – It’s not the record-breaking pace from last year, but the Brooks Bandits have put themselves into contender status once again.

Nearing the unofficial midway mark of the AJHL season, the Bandits were able to celebrate over the weekend with their annual Teddy Bear Toss night.

Fans were waiting in the wings to launch their teddies on the ice, with right winger Will Garin bringing them down on the power play 7:12 into the first period.

“I just found some open ice, [Dennis Cesana] had a good shot on net, and the rebound came right to me,” said Garin. “Luckily, I just had to put it in the net.”

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That wouldn’t be it for the Minnesota product however, as he netted another two goals to complete the hat-trick in Brooks’ 8-2 drubbing of Olds.

Garin was set up on the Teddy Bear Toss goal by captain Dennis Cesana, who said it’s a date circled on the calendar each year.

“It’s definitely pretty cool to be one of the organizations that do that,” said Cesana. “It’s a pretty cool tradition to be a part of, so yeah the boys loved it.”

Saturday was the second Teddy Bear Toss for 20-year-old Nic Hamre, saying it was a great evening from both the fans and his teammates.

“It’s a great event,” said Hamre. “A lot of guys stepped up tonight, a lot of fans showed up, and I think a lot of people had a lot of fun with it.”

After starting the season with only two wins in their first five games, the Bandits have turned things around and currently sit in second place in the AJHL’s South Division.

Winning six straight games, Cesana said the team has finally found some chemistry nearing the holiday break.

“It’s nice to finally see it start to form especially coming from last year, one of the best teams in the country obviously,” he said. “So, it’s good to finally start seeing us go to that level, and hopefully be able to catch up to Okotoks and make a mark on them.”

Trailing by 10 points for first place in their division, the Bandits will need a strong 2018 to challenge the Oilers for first place.

However, Hamre is confident that the boys in blue and red can get things done in the second half.

“We’ve made some changes, adjusted some lines and stuff,” he said. “Obviously, it’s working and it’s paying off. Now that we’re kind of in a groove and we’re moving forward things are definitely going our way, but we’re still getting better and have a lot of work to do.”

With just 27 games remaining before playoffs begin, Garin said the goal remains clinching top spot in the south.

“Okotoks has given us a chance to climb back in the standings,” he said. “So, we’re just trying to get a few w’s together before the break. And, hopefully we can come back after break and make a strong push for the first seed.”

Only two more games before the Christmas break for Brooks, hosting Bonnyville and Fort McMurray on Friday and Saturday, respectively.