Brooks Bandits return to BCHL Finals, taking on Nanaimo Clippers in first meeting since 2013

The schedule for the league finals is still to be announced, but the Bandits will have home ice advantage.

During the regular season, the Bandits went 37-11-6 for 80 points in 54 games. Good enough for top spot in the Interior East Division.

The Clippers had a 30-18-6 record for 66 points in 54 games during the regular season. Placing them second in the Coastal West Division.

There looks to be a potential goaltending duel brewing in the league finals.

A familiar face to Medicine Hat fans has been the only goaltender in the crease for the Bandits this postseason. Former Tigers netminder Zach Zahara has competed in all 16 games, with a 12-2-2 record. His 2.17 goals against average sits third among qualified goalies in the BCHL playoffs, and his save percentage sits ninth.

The goaltending scenario has been similar for the Clippers, with Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau holding down the net for all 16 playoff games, with Matthew Hutchison playing a total of 18 minutes this postseason. Séguin-Lescarbeau has a 12-3-1 record in the postseason. He is in fourth place for goals against average at 2.33, just behind Zahara. A .918 save percentage is just ahead of Zahara, and puts Séguin-Lescarbeau sixth among qualified goalies during the playoffs.

Each team has allowed 39 goals against in the playoffs, but the Bandits have shown a little more offensive punch with 74 goals to the Clippers 60.

Leading the Bandits’ offence through the playoffs, forwards Dmitrijs Dilevka and Isaac Johnson sit one-two in playoff points, Dilevka with 25 and Johnson with 20. The Bandits have eight players with 10 or more points. Forward Jack Good is also at a point a game pace through his eight games played.

The Clippers’ offence has been led by forwards Tanner Bruender and Jack Rimmer, who each have 16 points. Forward Charles Béland sits just behind them at 15 points, but leads the postseason in goals with 13. The next closest Clippers goal scorer is Bruender with 6.

Coming into the series with identical 12-4 playoff records, the Bandits’ road to the finals has included a 4-0 sweep of the Spruce Grove Saints, a 4-3 series win over the Sherwood Park Crusaders, and a 4-1 win over the Bucks.

The Clippers’ path to the finals includes a 4-1 series win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, a 4-3 series win over the Cowichan Capitals, and a four-game sweep of the Spruce Kings.

With the Bandits looking for their second league title, in their second full year in the league.

The Clippers will look for their first win since 2007. They have won five times, also winning titles in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 2004. It will be the Clippers’ 10th finals appearance.

Each team will look to hoist the Rogers BCHL Cup, formerly known as the Fred Page Cup.

by Jesse Gill

Brooks Bandits return to BCHL Finals, taking on Nanaimo Clippers in first meeting since 2013

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