Bandits hit second-longest ever win streak, downing Camrose 5-1
CAMROSE, AB – The Brooks Bandits (41-3) secured their second-longest winning streak in franchise history following a 5-1 triumph in Camrose on Saturday night.
Five different Bandit forwards found the back of the net, while goaltender Pierce Charleson (Aurora, ON) made 32 saves on 33 Kodiak shots for his league-leading 32nd win of the season.
The Bandits became just the ninth team in AJHL history to win 17 straight games. The streak is second only to the 2012-13 Bandits, who won 20 straight, for the franchise mark. The Bandits magic number to clinch first overall in the South Division is now five combined wins and Okotoks losses.
Brooks scored first just 1:58 into the game as forward Randy Hernandez (Miami, FL) scored from the right circle off a three-on-one rush, set up by linemate Simon Gravel (Boucherville, QC). The Bandits added another with 2:45 left in the period, as Gravel powered his way to the Kodiak net on a breakaway and despite his first attempt being stopped by goaltender Kyle Dumba, he scored backing away from the net off the rebound to make it 2-0.