Brooks Bandits sweep Vancouver Island road trip

Alexandre Monarque had struck first for the Bandits at 7:08 into the first period.

A Grizzlies power-play goal later in the frame tied it at one heading into the second period.

Lussier would get his first of the game midway through the second period on the power play.

The Bandits held that lead until the Grizzlies tied it up at two at 13:44 into the third.

With 1:31 left, Lussier gave the Bandits a 3-2 lead. He then capped it off with the empty-netter.

Five different Bandits had assists in the contest, with Joseph Sinclair getting two.

Emile Beaunoyer made 20 saves on 22 shots to earn his seventh win of the season.

Both teams scored once on three power-play opportunities.

The victory, combined with an Okotoks Oilers loss, moved Brooks back into first place in the BCHL’s Interior East Division with an 8-4-2-0 record.

The Bandits opened the trip with an 8-2 win over the Powell River Kings on Friday.

Dmitrijs Dilevka led the offence with three points, including a goal and two assists, while Jeremy Leroux scored twice.

Netminder Beaunoyer stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn the win.

Zachary Spurgeon also scored his first career Junior A goal.

Brooks returns home for three straight games at the Centennial Regional Arena, beginning Wednesday against the Trail Smoke Eaters at 6:30 p.m.

The Bandits host the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday, and the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Sunday.

by Jesse Gill