Brooks Bandits head to Vancouver Island for BCHL back-to-back
The Alberta-based Bandits aim to improve their record against Coastal West Division teams during a two-game trip that includes a reunion with a former championship teammate.
The Brooks Bandits travel to Vancouver Island this weekend for BCHL games against the Powell River Kings on Friday and the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday, hoping to rebound from a split weekend that saw an 8-3 win over Vernon followed by an 8-6 loss to Sherwood Park.
Brooks has struggled against Coastal West opponents this season, managing just one win in the division, with other losses including an overtime defeat to Cowichan Valley and a 4-2 setback against Victoria at the BCHL Showcase in Nisku. In Powell River, the Bandits will face former teammate Mark Konstantinov, who won a championship with Brooks last season and has one point in 12 games with the Kings, who sit at 6-6-1.
Saturday's game offers a chance to avenge an earlier loss to Victoria, which leads the Coastal West at 9-4-0 despite losing four of its last six. The Grizzlies have allowed just 30 goals in 13 games, compared with 50 for Brooks, while the Bandits have scored 59 goals to Victoria's 43. Victoria's net is anchored by former Bandit and Montreal Canadiens prospect Mikus Vecvanags, who has nine wins in 12 starts this season.
Brooks enters the weekend led offensively by Dmitrijs Dilevka with 19 points, defenceman Zachary Deleau with a league-leading 17 points among blueliners, and forward Koby Francis, who is averaging 1.71 points per game. Friday's game in Powell River starts at 8 p.m. Mountain time, with Saturday's matchup in Victoria beginning at 7 p.m.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.