Brooks Bandits fall 4-2 to Spruce Grove Saints in BCHL preseason opener
The Bandits mounted a late comeback but couldn't overcome a three-goal deficit in their first exhibition game of the season.
The Brooks Bandits opened their BCHL preseason with a 4-2 loss to the Spruce Grove Saints on Tuesday night at Centennial Regional Arena. Patrick Woods scored twice for Spruce Grove, opening the scoring on a shorthanded goal 11:36 into the first period and adding an even-strength marker early in the second.
Junior Podein extended the Saints' lead to 3-0 with a power-play goal late in the second period. Brooks got on the board in the third when Jacob Bultje scored on a wraparound, but Spruce Grove answered with an empty-net goal from Alexy Lachaine after the Bandits pulled their goaltender. Alexandre Monarque added a late goal for Brooks with nine seconds left to make it 4-2.
Spruce Grove outshot Brooks 40-26 over the game. Bandits goaltenders Yundi Cai and Ianfranco Vargas Sanchez combined to stop 26 of 30 shots faced, while Saints netminders Joseph Quintilo and Colten Scott combined for 24 saves on 26 shots. Brooks iced only five returning skaters from last season's roster.
The Bandits have two more exhibition games before the regular season, facing the Okotoks Oilers on the road Friday and at home Saturday. Brooks opens its BCHL regular season Sept. 18 in Blackfalds against the Bulldogs, followed by a home opener against Okotoks on Sept. 19.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.