Bandits forward Tyson Getzinger looks for a tip in front of the Cold Lake goal on Friday night. – Robb Fenton Photo
By Robb Fenton
It took some help, but the Lloydminster Bandits are once again Northeast Alberta Junior B Hockey League regular season champions.
Coupled with the Bandits 12th win in a row – a 6-3 doubling of the Cold Lake Ice Friday – the Vermilion Tigers edged the Vegreville Rangers in overtime to give the Bandits their second straight league crown.
“I’m very happy. The last two games I thought we played very well, dictated the play both games,” Bandits head coach Joe Young said, Friday night.
“Everything is starting to come together and starting to gel. Everyone is playing in their role and you can see it throughout the bench and in the dressing room.”
After some struggles to end 2009, the Bandits seemed like a new team in 2010, ending the season without a loss after Christmas.
“Personally I think we peaked at the right time. We’ve reeled off 12 in a row to end the season,” Young said. “We went through some tough times earlier in the year, but we showed a lot of character in our room and leadership by the way we bounced back the last 12 games of the season. Some were easy, but we had to battle for a lot of them.”
Friday the Bandits got goals from five different players including two from forward Joel Budd who finished the season by scoring five times in two games.
“Heading into the playoffs you always want to go in with a winning streak. We’ve won 12 in a row so hopefully we can keep it rolling,” Budd said.
Even the players have recognized a change in the new year and an improved effort not only offensively, but also in their own end, where many of the struggles were before Christmas.
The Bandits didn’t allow more than three goals during their winning streak which was a big key to their success.
“It seems ever since Jan. 1 we’ve turned it up a little bit. We’re playing good in our own end and that’s been huge for us. We’re keeping our goals against below four and that’s been key for us,” Budd explained.
Budd scored the first two goals for the Bandits who opened up a 3-0 lead on the Ice early in the second period.
Lenny Young and Lenny Thunderchild also scored for the Bandits who took a 4-2 lead into the third.
Ian McAllister and Tyson Getzinger added third period goals to seal the win and Jesse Hnatiuk made 29 saves for the win.
“It’s a great playoff type game where we put in a good effort,” McAllister said. “Going into playoffs 12-0 is great, we can’t be on a better role than that.”
The Bandits final record finished at 27-4-0-2 and earned them top spot, edging out Vegreville.
PLAYOFFS START WEDNESDAY
The Bandits now shift their attention to the first round of the playoffs where they will face the Thorhild Titans, who are making their playoff debut after edging St. Paul Saturday night.
Following Friday’s game, the Bandits were unsure of who they would play in Round 1, but said the goal and gameplan remain the same.
“I think one thing we have to realize is that we are going to go through some adversity in the playoffs. It’s never easy, it wasn’t last year and that’s where our leadership will step up,” Young said.
“If we keep a high tempo and a good attitude we’re going to be fine.”
The Bandits have a large number of returning players from the league and provincial championship team of last year which is going to be a big advantage for them heading into the playoffs.
“It’s great how the guys on the team have been through it and they can help our young guys out battle through the playoffs,” McAllister said. “It’s going to be a good playoff run.”
“We just have to do the same things we’ve done the last 12 games, get the puck out of our zone and score some goals,” Budd said.
Wednesday will mark the first home game of the 2009-2010 playoff run as the Bandits will host the Titans at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
Along with the Bandits and Titans, the playoffs will see Vegreville take on Wainwright, Cold Lake and Vermilion will play and Killam will face Saddle Lake.