FORT McMURRAY, AB (February 13, 2015) – Austin Plevy set up three goals for the Brooks Bandits, who skated to a 3-1 win over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (27-21-5) on Friday night.
The Bandits got off to a quick start, when Alex Roberts tapped one past Barons' goalie and AJHL Top Goaltender nominee Zach Fortin (St. Jerome, PQ) for the 1-0 lead.
But the MOB responded four minutes later, when Mitchell Vanderlaan (Hanwell, NB) roofed one over Michael Fredrick to tie the game at 1.
But the tie game only held for a minute and 16 seconds, as Chase Clayton put the Bandits back in the lead, up 2-1.
In the second the Bandits lead the way, outshooting Fort McMurray 16-9, though both teams went into the dressing room after 40 without any additional goals.
In the third, a scrum broke out just over three minutes in, when Shawn Weber (Lloydminster, AB) took a stick in the face, prompting Barons defenceman Tyler Dea (St. Albert, AB) to engage Kyler Nachtigall of the Bandits.
When all was said and done, the Bandits came away with a two-minute powerplay on which Anthony Paskaruk converted, giving Brooks the 3-1 lead that would become the final score.
Fortin made 36 stops in the Barons net, while Fredrick needed only 32 to pick up victory.
The loss coupled with losses to Lloydminster and Sherwood Park means the Barons remain five points back of the second-place Bobcats with two games in hand, and one point back of third-place Bonnyville with one game in hand.
As well, the Barons lead the Crusaders by two points, and continue to have two games in hand.
Up next for the MOB, a home date with the Calgary Canucks on Valentine's Day.
Puck drop is at 8:00, with the pregame show starting at 7:45 on KAOS 91.1.
KAOS 91.1 3 Stars:
3. Alex Roberts (1G)
2. Chase Clayton (1 GWG)
1. Austin Plevy (3A)