Brooks Bandits split weekend against Vipers and Crusaders

The Brooks Bandits split a two-game weekend, opening with an 8-3 win over the first-place Vernon Vipers on Friday before falling 8-6 to the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday.

Makaio Van Tassel scored twice in Friday’s victory, becoming the first Bandit this season to reach double-digit goals. Goaltender Emile Beaunoyer stopped 36 of 39 shots, including 23 straight after the first period.

The offence continued to produce Saturday, with six different Bandits scoring against Sherwood Park.

The game was tied at six heading into the final minute, when the Crusaders would score a pair of goals, just nine seconds apart, to secure the 8-6 win.