In last night’s game, the Blackfalds Bulldogs defeated the Brooks Bandits 3-2, ending the Bandits’ 13-game winning streak. The Bulldogs scored in the first period with a goal from Carter Patterson and maintained their lead throughout the game. Despite a late rally from the Bandits, the Bulldogs held on for the win.
After an unsuccessful 2 on 1 Hunter Brown went and got the puck out of the corner and found Carter Patterson (who just returned off injury) streaking in from the point to make it a 1-0 Bulldogs game at 9:12 of the first period. The other assist on the goal went to Alexander Dimitriadis.
Shots on goal in the first period were 15-10 for the Bulldogs
Dakota MacIntosh reminds Johnny Hicks he is no Wilson Maxfield and makes it 2-0 Bulldogs on the Power Play when Brendan Ross finds him when they are going down on a 2 on 1.
Shots on goal in the second period were 11-10 for Brooks
Brendan Gillmore scores his third goal of the season at 2:01 of the third period to give the Bulldogs the 3-0 lead. The assists on the goal went to Brendan Ross and Jayden Joly. Ross picking up his second assist almost identical to his first a smooth backhand pass then in the net.
Logan Sawyer finally got the Bandits on the board at 3:48 of the third period. With the assist going to former Sherwood Park Crusader Brock Souch and Nathan Free. That is a very young line which 2 are 100% going in the NHL draft for 2024. The only reason that Brock Souch will not be drafted next season is he is a late birthday so it is almost certain he will be drafted in 2025 when eligible.
Nathan Free scores on a toe hand drag shot just as the Bandits penalty was expiring to get the Bandits within 1. The assists on the goal went to Brock Souch and Parker Lalonde. If there is one player to worry about with the Bandits when it is time to come clutch it is Nathan Free. Every single game that the Bandits have beaten the Bulldogs that I have seen he has been the clear best player on the ice.
Cry a river! Towards the end the bitching started from the sour loser brigade “give us 1.5 seconds on the clock”. Brooks has that Michael Rapaport/Ryan Whitney look a like defenceman running around on the ice crying at the refs. So as the game should end the refs just let them have their 1.5 seconds on the clock so they could look like pathetic whiners in front of the audience for a little while longer. They claimed players held the puck. I could see it from the stands. So get your eyes checked.
Shots on goal in the third were 13-4 for the Bandits. The Bandits ended up outshooting the Bulldogs 39-24 in the game.
Wilson Maxfield was insanely amazing making 37 saves on the 39 shots for the win. This is his second win against his former team Brooks this season. For the Bandits Johnny Hicks also played very well for the Bandits making 21 saves on the 24 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Wilson Maxfield 2) Carter Patterson 3) Nathan Free. Nothing against the other 2 guys who both played great, but this could of been one of the few cases where there was a game and all three star positions could go to the same player. That player would be Wilson Maxfield.
Attendance in Blackfalds was 821
Bulldogs next game is Friday February 16th against the Brooks Bandits again.
Brock Souch? For only future considerations? Doesn’t make a lot of sense. There has to be something hidden behind the scenes on this that is not being talked about openly.
Wouldn’t of seen this coming a mile away. Brandes was loved by the fans. When you go out and talk to other people about the Bulldogs to random people they will usually bring up “Did you see that Brandes guy”. Still so amazing to see a defenceman rush the puck and skate the way that that kid does. The only good thing about this trade is he is going to a team in another Conference that won’t terrorize us later.
Hope Brandes does well there. Sucks to see him go.
Jimmy Johnson!!! That’s awesome. I am just going out on a limb and taking a wild guess here, but I think that the James or Jimmy Johnson that the Bulldogs got is of no relation to the football guy or probably not even the Nascar one either. Just a hunch. Johnson was very impressive in his first game as a Bulldogs. Very noticeable which isn’t very hard when you are 6’6 and can actually skate. More shocked a kid like this could sit in the OJHL for so long with out being picked up somewhere else. Johnson also played with the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he played with former Whitecourt Wolverine Rodion Tatarenko.
That’s an Alberta kid too👍I always see people complain when the USHL or other leagues take players. I think its awesome. Minus the fact fans don’t get to see Loomer in Blackfalds anymore this is great for him and the team.
Rookie lap for @LayneLoomer! 🥳 #AllAboard🚂 pic.twitter.com/OTjA2rXNC2
— Lincoln Stars (@LincolnStars) February 10, 2024
If you watched the Bulldogs in their inaugural season you will notice that Loomer is now team mates with former Bulldogs goalie Lucas Massie. Lincoln is actually one of the cooler cities to be in the states if you are around 20 too. Huge University city. I know hockey should be the main focus there but if there ever were a place to get lost and have fun most will be shocked to learn Lincoln is one of those places.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/575132/ryan-neumann
When I seen this signing I thought nice. It was like when the Bulldogs signed Easton Adrian. Pretty much already knew what you are getting. Neumann is a great player. This is his 3rd season in Junior with stops in Okotoks and Drayton Valley prior. Neumann is a 2004 born Calgary native who had almost a point a game with the Drayton Valley Thunder this season.
