The Brooks Bandits have won the BCHL''s Alberta Cup after defeating the Sherwood Park Crusaders, four game to one in their best of seven series. (Brooks Bandits)

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Brooks Bandits claim Alberta crown in British Columbia Hockey League

May 23, 2024 | 11:05 AM

The Brooks Bandits have won the inaugural Alberta Cup in the team’s first playoff foray in the British Columbia Hockey League.

The former junior hockey national champions beat the Sherwood Park Crusaders 7-3 in a Game 5 win Wednesday night at Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks.

The Bandits were down 2-1 early in the first period, but after the team took its a first lead with a 3-2 score at 12:44 into the first period, they didn’t trail the rest of the way.

The Bandits had three point nights from forwards Mirko Buttazoni and Nicholas DeGraves, while four other Bandits had multi-point nights.

Bandits forward Logan Sawyer was named the Alberta Playoffs Most Valuable Player, finishing the postseason with a division-leading 15 points in 12 games on seven goals and eight assists.

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This is the third straight year the team has been crowned an Alberta champion on home ice.

It’s a franchise first in the BCHL after winning Alberta Junior Hockey League titles on home ice the past two seasons.

The Bandits will host the winner of the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup between the Surrey Eagles and Penticton Vees, with that series currently tied at 2-2.

The best-of-three one-time Rocky Mountain Challenge goes May 31 to June 2, with all games played at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks.

The Bandits were part of a five-team defection from the AJHL earlier this year, transitioning into the BCHL during the middle of the hockey season.