(Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Hockey Canada Images)
The Brooks Bandits found a way to better the Penticton Vees again, this time using overtime to knock-off their western rivals 2-1 in RBC Cup action Sunday, in Cobourg, Ontario.
Ty Mappin was the OT hero, tapping-in a pass from the point from Dennis Cesana three-minutes into the four-on-four overtime frame, as the Bandits improved to 2-0 at the tournament. The Vees picked up a point in the OT setback, as they now get set to face the host Cobourg Cougars Monday night.
It was the second time in two weeks the Bandits beat the Vees, as they squeaked out a 4-3 shootout win at the Western Canada Cup on April 30th.
It was a tight-checking affair, as there were just two goals scored in regulation and the Vees had the only goal through two periods. The Vees grabbed the lead late in the first period and after a miscue from the Bandits.
Ryley Risling tried to center the puck out front from behind the net but the Bandits Parker Foo intercepted, but inadvertently steered the puck underneath his goalie’s pad and in. Risling was credited with his first goal of the tournament with just 2:10 left in the opening frame.
Brooks had a great chance to grab the lead in the opening moments of the game, but Joe O’Connor wired the puck off the cross-bar from the left-wing circle inside the firt 30-seconds.
The second period was riddled with penalties, as eight power-plays were handed out between the two teams and it was during their run of power-plays, the Vees had their best chances to add to their lead.
Massimo Rizzo got a cross-ice pass right at the post from Nicholas Jones but the 15-year-old was tied up by a Bandits defender and couldn’t shovel the puck over the goal-line.
Another opportunity for Penticton to cash in on the power-play in the second came off the stick Taylor Ward. Ward hammered the puck from the right-circle but his one-timer smoked Benson in the mask, before caroming out of play.
Brooks best chance to tie it in the second came in the dying moments of the frame, as Tyler Carangelo was sprung on a breakaway. The Bandits forward slipped in behind the Vees defenders but he was twice stopped by Robson’s pad, after darting down the middle.
Brooks did finally get on even terms in the third period and it was on a power-play that carried over from the second. Just half a minute into the frame, Parker Foo atoned for his first period gaffe, as he quickly put a rebound up and over Mat Robson’s shoulder; Food scoring his second of the tournament.
In overtime, Dennis Cesana showed great vision, finding Mappin darting to the far post, and from the blue-line fired a pass right onto Mappin’s stick for the easy tap-in behind Robson just past the three-minute mark.
Final Score: 2-1 Brooks (OT)
Shots: 33-21 Brooks
Power-Plays: Vees 0-8 Brooks 1-5
Player of the Game: Vees- Mat Robson Brooks- Ty Mappin
Game Notes: The Vees Jamie Armstrong sustained a lower-body injury early in first period and did not return; he’ll be reevaluated Monday. Sunday’s OT loss snapped the Vees three-game win streak dating back to May 4th
Penticton (0-0-1) is back in action tomorrow, Monday, May 15th, against the Cobourg Cougars (1-0-0); puck drop is 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT. The game can be heard on EZ Rock AM 800, or fans can watch the free webcast on www.hockeyTV.com
