The Brantford Bandits have matched their win total from last season and secured a playoff berth with a 4-2 victory over the London Nationals on Wednesday night at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.
Bandits score three in the first period
The Bandits came out flying in the first period, scoring three goals in less than nine minutes to take a commanding lead. Cole Hipkin opened the scoring at 3:35 with a power-play goal, assisted by Nolan Underwood and Andrew Casasanta. Ethan Hebel doubled the lead at 6:23 with a shorthanded goal, set up by Cameron Gratton. Gratton then added a goal of his own at 8:54, with Hebel and Casasanta getting the helpers.
Nationals fight back in the second period
The Nationals did not give up easily, as they responded with two goals in the second period to cut the deficit to one. George Diaco scored at 4:16 with a power-play goal, assisted by Brenden Trottier and James Turner. Turner then scored at 14:04 with another power-play goal, with Diaco and Trottier getting the assists.
Bandits seal the deal in the third period
The Bandits regained their two-goal cushion in the third period, as Underwood scored at 7:22 with a power-play goal, assisted by Hipkin and Casasanta. The Bandits then shut down the Nationals for the rest of the game, as goaltender Mat Woroniuk made 28 saves for his 12th win of the season.
Bandits improve to 24-10-1-3
With the win, the Bandits improved to 24-10-1-3, matching their win total from last season when they finished fourth in the Midwestern Conference. The Bandits are currently third in the conference, four points behind the second-place Listowel Cyclones and six points behind the first-place Stratford Warriors. The Bandits have also clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season, as they are 16 points ahead of the fifth-place Brampton Bombers.
Nationals fall to 19-15-1-3
With the loss, the Nationals fell to 19-15-1-3, dropping to fourth place in the Western Conference. The Nationals are one point behind the third-place Leamington Flyers and four points behind the second-place LaSalle Vipers. The Nationals are still comfortably in a playoff position, as they are 13 points ahead of the fifth-place St. Thomas Stars.
