Brooks Bandits take 2-1 series lead after game three overtime win over the Clippers in Nanaimo

The Bandits would even things up 6:33 into the third, with Isaac Johnson getting his sixth of the playoffs, assisted by linemates Rosensteel and Harry Ahlberg.

Zach Zahara was sharp in the net for the Bandits, turning aside 36 of 37 shots, and Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau also had a strong performance for the Clippers with 32 saves on 34 shots.

Both goaltenders were part of the BCHL’s Three Stars of the Week. Seguin-Lescarbeau won first star honours, and Zahara took the second star. Bandits forward Rylan Hue, who had the double-overtime winner in game two, was named the third star.

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(Image Credit: Island Images (Séguin-Lescarbeau), Garrett James Photography (Zahara), Matt Piotrowski Photography (Hue))

Game four is Wednesday in Nanaimo at 8 p.m.

A Bandits game four win would give them a chance to close out the series at home in game five at the Centennial Regional Arena on Friday. Puck drop on that game is at 7 p.m.

The Bandits are chasing a repeat of their 2025 BCHL title and will look to hoist the newly named Rogers BCHL Cup, after taking home the Fred Page Cup last year.

Brooks has seen the Bandits succeed for several years now. The Bandits have won a league title each year they have been eligible since 2019.

A span that includes the BCHL title in 2025, the BCHL Rocky Mountain Challenge in 2024, the Alberta Junior Hockey League Championship in 2023, 2022, and 2019. The Bandits also won the National Junior A title in 2023, 2022, and 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out post-season competition for the AJHL in both 2020 and 2021.

Previously, the Bandits also won the National Junior A Championship in 2013, the Western Canada Cup in 2017, and AJHL titles in 2017, 2016, 2013, and 2012.

The program has continued to be successful this season by reaching the finals after the departure of former head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. He was with the Bandits from 2008 to 2025 before taking on a head coaching role with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers for the 2025-26 season.

First-year Bandits head coach Dakota Mason took over the role after serving as an assistant under Papaioannou for two seasons.

The Bandits now sit two wins away from continuing the winning tradition under the new bench boss.

by Jesse Gill

Brooks Bandits take 2-1 series lead after game three overtime win over the Clippers in Nanaimo

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