PHOTO: Matt Piotrowski
The Brooks Bandits pulled away late to defeat the Spruce Grove Saints in a physical, penalty-filled matchup, using special teams and a strong third period to secure a 5–2 win.
After a scoreless but chippy first period that featured multiple penalties and limited offensive rhythm, Brooks took control in the second. Liam Fitzpatrick opened the scoring just over three minutes in, finishing off a play with help from Frantisek Albrecht. Less than two minutes later, Jack Rosensteel doubled the lead, converting off a setup from Dmitrijs Dilevka and Dante Siciliano.
The Saints responded midway through the period when Chris Battaini buried his first of the game to cut the deficit to one. However, Brooks regained momentum late in the frame as Isaac Johnson capitalized on a power play opportunity, restoring the two-goal cushion heading into the third.
Spruce Grove pushed back in the final period, and Charlie Derrheim brought the Saints within one with under six minutes remaining, finishing a play set up by Josh Polak to make it 3–2. But that would be as close as they’d get.
With tensions rising and penalties continuing to pile up—including a fight and game misconduct to Brandon Funk—Brooks took advantage late. Rosensteel netted his second of the night on a power play into an empty net, and Dmitrijs Dilevka added another moments later, also with the man advantage and the Saints net empty, sealing the 5–2 final.
