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Bandits look to overcome shorthanded lineup in bid for three-peat

Mar 7, 2018 | 4:54 PM

 

BROOKS, AB – The Brooks Bandits find themselves in a rare spot, beginning playoffs without the top seed in the AJHL’s South Division.

For the first time in three years, the Brooks Bandits are without a first round bye and will begin their playoff journey in the opening week of March.

Finishing the season with a 45-14-1 record, the Bandits ended the campaign 15 points back of the Okotoks Oilers for the South Division crown.

Forward Nathan Plessis won the Gas Drive Cup with Brooks last spring and said they’re ready for Game 1 of their South Division quarter-finals series against Canmore.

“Last year we had a little more time to regroup, get a little more rest and everything,” said Plessis. “But, this year we have to get going right away. I don’t think it should make a big difference, I think we should come out flying like we did last year.”

No playoff beards yet for the Bandits, but that doesn’t mean they’re staying away from bonding ahead of the post-season.

According to winger Will Garin, each player had a mandatory run in with a box of black hair dye on Monday.

“They’re all good laughs, but at the end of the day I think it honestly brings everyone closer together,” said Garin. “Everyone is on the same page, at this time of year you want everyone gelling and clicking, and I think that’s what’s going on right now.”

Brooks will be shorthanded for Game 1 though, with veterans Nic Hamre, Conner Jean, and Nolan Thompson all on the suspension list.

Hamre will miss an additional two games for what the AJHL ruled as a staged fight in the Bandits regular season finale against Drumheller, but rookie defender Brandon Scanlin isn’t worried.

“Since most of them are only out for one game, two games, it’s not like the whole series they’re going to be out,” said Scanlin. “So, it should be a good learning curve for the rookies like me, that are having our first playoff series here.”

Garin added the team will be using the limited depth and lack of a first round bye as motivation heading into the second season.

“A couple of guys are going to have to play a little knicked up,” he said. “But, I don’t think that’s any issue or any excuse to not come out and play hard, and get a win on Thursday night.”

The Bandits will be relying on their big-game reputation, with seven returning champs and over 170 games of combined playoff experience.

Something that Plessis said they’ll try to use to their advantage early in their series with the Eagles.

“You look at the teams we’re up against, none of those guys have won,” he said. “So, they’re not in the same boat as us, I think it’s definitely an advantage we hope to use.”

Losing just five games at the Centennial Regional Arena all season, Scanlin said the Bandits are looking to extend some of last year’s playoff magic at home.

“Playoffs in the CRA have been a rowdy atmosphere, so I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “But, just trying to zone it all out and play the game that we’ve played all year.”

Brooks has taken five out of six games against Canmore this year, while Game 1 of the opening round series will kick off at 7:00 pm on Thursday at the CRA.