The Brooks Bandits erupted for five unanswered goals to earn a 5-2 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Josh McKechney’s second-period power play goal with 10 seconds remaining in the frame became the eventual winner as the Bandits, the top team in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, are 1-0 to start the 2017 Western Canada Cup, presented by Sun Life Financial. Parker Foo led the Bandits with a goal and three points.
Chiefs goalie Mark Sinclair finished with 31 saves, including facing 31 shots in the first and second period. The Chiefs opened the scoring on a goal by Anthony Vincent at 8:24 of the third. Sinclair turned aside 20 shots before allowing his first goal. Cale Makar got the Bandits back even, then Arnaud Vachon put the Bandits ahead. Nick Prkusic also scored for the Bandits.
More: Players to watch in the Western Canada Cup
Connor McCarthy scored the Chiefs’ second goal on the power play, set up by Kyle Kawaguchi, who finished with two assists.
Mitchel Benson turned aside 13 of 14 shots in 44 minutes, 24 seconds of action, while Alex Horawski played the final 15:36 making nine of 10 saves.
The Chiefs went 1-for-1 on the power play, while the Bandits were 1-for-7.
The Penticton Vees will host the Battlefords North Stars at 7 p.m.
