First spot still possible for Brooks Bandits head into final weekend of regular season

For that to happen the Bandits would have to win both games, while the league leading Penticton Vees would have to lose both their games.

Even with the Bandits losing a pair of goaltenders, and a pair of defensemen to major junior opportunities mid-season, the team persevered.

Those players where able to play at that level and maintain their US College eligibility after a NCAA rule change earlier in the season.

READ: NCAA lifts eligibility ban in allowing Canadian Hockey League players to compete at US colleges

Team captain, defenseman Ethan Beyer said the Bandits have had a strong season.

“Been up and down with our roster changing, but those new guys came in and stepped in right away and made a tremendous impact,” Beyer said.

“I think right now our team’s looking really good and we’re playing really good hockey at the right time,” he added.

“We can’t control what the Vees do, but we can control what we do and that’s putting our best effort Friday and Saturday night.”

Alternate captain, forward Nick Peluso says tracking the Vees down is something they have been looking at.

“We’ve been chasing them, so it’s just kind of been our goal. These last bit of the games of the year here, but we’re comfortable going into playoffs wherever we go in,” he added.

“If we don’t catch them, then it is what it is, and we go into playoffs, just play.”

First year assistant coach Luke Israel knows this is unfamiliar territory for a Bandits team by this point in the season.

“In years previous with the Bandits has kind of been locked up with 15, 20 games remaining that they’re going to win their conference or the league regular season,” Israel said.

“So you know what, to be tested and have to play some meaningful games down the stretch and some must-win games in our eyes, it’s been really valuable for our group and hopefully that’s some good experience carrying into playoff time.”

To raise another championship banner, Peluso said consistent play will be key.

“We’ve had some lapses where we kind of get unfocused for a little bit, and that’s when teams take advantage,” Peluso said.

“I think if we just play a full 60 and just do what we do, I think we’ll be good. I don’t think we really need to change much,” he added.

“We’re all super close, and I think that plays a huge role in how we do on the ice. I think we’re a strong group, so I think we have a chance to go far.”

A balance offensive attack is something that Peluso thinks has been key to the teams success.

“We get production from up and down the lineup, and everybody knows their role. Everybody plays hard every night,” Peluso said.

“I think that’s a huge key is having everybody be able to produce and everybody be confident enough to go out there and make plays.”

Beyer said they are playing the right hockey at the right time of the year, and still have room to improve.

“I think every single day, we’re not cocky or overconfident. I think we have a confidence in ourselves, but, we respect the other teams that we’re going to play,” Beyer said.

“We just know we have to control what we can control and that’s work ethic and just doing the little things the right way,” he added.

“I think if we just take care of that and just try to get better every single day like we are, I think good things will happen.”

The increased level of competition each night playing in the BCHL full-time this year is something third year player Beyer has noticed.

“Every night’s a challenge, in the AJHL we could just show up some nights and win, and that just shows how good our team was at the time. And our team’s really talented and hard working this year,” Beyer said.

“It’s tighter, tighter competition and that’s what you want, as a hockey player, you want to play against the best teams every single night,” he added.

“At the end of the day, put more goals than they do on the scoreboard. I think we’ve done a good job of that this year and I’m excited to see what happens in the playoffs.”

Friday night’s final regular season home game for the Bandits starts at 7 p.m. at the Centennial Regional Arena against the Spruce Grove Saints.

The Bandits then travels to Okotoks Saturday night to take on the Oilers.

Then the chase for the Bandits first ever Fred Page Cup will be on.

by Jesse Gill

First spot still possible for Brooks Bandits head into final weekend of regular season

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