Brooks Bandits kick off BCHL playoff series with Crusaders

The Bandits and Crusaders split their six regular season contests at three wins a piece.

Bandits forward Jack Good said their opponent has some really good offensive talent.

“They’re very good at putting the puck in the net. I think as a team, our main focus is going to have to be just being very sound defensively,” Good said.

“They will capitalize on our mistakes,” he added.

“If we can limit our mistakes and we can focus on playing defense first and then having the offense come through our defense, then I think we’re going to be successful against them for sure.”

Good said the playoffs have been a bit more physical.

“Definitely the physicality is ramped up. Everyone’s definitely a little bit more invested than they were in November because, we’re playing for a big shiny trophy that can be won in a month and a half,” Good said.

“Everyone’s excited for that. Everyone’s finishing their checks and everyone’s kind of pushing it a little bit more than they had during the regular season. It’s definitely a more intense level of hockey for sure.”

Bandits alternate captain Nick Peluso scored two overtime winners in the first round, including the series winner.

He said getting those key goals has been a good feeling and hopefully something he can keep going.

Peluso is tied with forward Luke Bibby atop the playoff scorers for the Bandits with seven points through five games.

The Bandits have got at least one point from 20 of their 23 skaters who have played so far in the playoffs.

Peluso said the depth scoring is super important.

“When you’re line matching with, with teams or teams are line matching against you, it’s important that you can trust all of your lines out there, all your forwards,” Peluso said.

“Getting production all throughout that forward group is definitely huge and it makes us a lot harder to kind of defend against. It’s a big part.”

The Bandits have the benefit of home ice advantage in the series, something Peluso said is huge.

“It’s always helpful playing in front of your home crowd and them cheering for you. It’s always good to have that kind of behind you when you’re playing,” Peluso said.

“Hopefully they saw in the last series that these playoffs are a bit different than what they’ve been in the past, and every round is going to be super competitive and every game can go either way,” he added.

“We had a good amount here last series and hopefully we can get even more and get the place rocking. That’d be nice.”

The first and second games of the series are at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday is at 7 p.m.

by Jesse Gill

Brooks Bandits kick off BCHL playoff series with Crusaders

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