The AJHL champion Bandits moved to 2-0 at the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) with a 3-0 shutout of the SJHL champion Melfort Mustangs at Affinity Place on Monday.
The Bandits came out flying in the opening minutes of the first period against the Mustangs (0-2). Bandits forward Jeff Malott opened the scoring 4:37 in on a shot from the top of the circle that hit Mustangs goalie Richard Palmer's glove, bounced over him and trickled into the net.
Malott scored his second of the game and third of the tournament about five minutes later thanks to a nasty dangle by teammate Tyrell Mappin who undressed a Mustangs defenceman at the bottom of the circle before passing the puck cross crease to Malott for the easy tap in. Bandits' Jared Cockrell scored Brooks' third goal with 3:40 left in the opening frame by picking up a loose puck in the neutral zone, speeding past a Mustangs defenceman caught standing still near his blue line and firing the puck low stick side on Palmer from in close.
Brooks controlled the play for portions of the tight-checking second period, but neither team was able to generate many chances. Melfort seemed to have the edge in the early moments of the third, but a blocker save by Bandits goaltender Garret Hughson on a Justin Boyer shot from in close five minutes into the frame kept their three-goal lead intact. The Mustangs ran into penalty trouble shortly afterwards taking two five-minute majors to kill any hope of a comeback.
The Mustangs are back on the ice Tuesday night for a tilt against their SJHL rival Estevan Bruins (0-2). The Bandits will have a day off before facing the Portage Terriers (2-0) at Affinity Place on Wednesday night.
