Photo: Bandits forward Lenny Young scored on this wrap around, but the goal was waved off. The called-off goal didn’t matter, however, as the Young scored late and the Bandits beat Killam 5-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. - Robb Fenton Photo
By Robb Fenton
The Lloydminster Bandits earned home ice by finishing first in the regular season and they have taken full advantage of it.
The Bandits remained perfect at home in the playoffs, improving to 4-0 with a 5-3 win over the Killam Wheat Kings to grab a 2-0 series lead in Round 2 of the NEAJBHL playoffs.
“It was a battle out there, we have a few bruises on all of us, but going up two games is huge at home because going into Killam is a different game there with that small ice and they use it to their advantage,” Bandits forward Joel Budd, who picked up three points in Game 2, said.
The Bandits took Game 1 5-2 and while Game 2 wasn’t a dominant performance, they stepped up and found a way to win, something the team is used to.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done. There was some sloppy play at times, but not every game is going to be perfect. I thought when we needed to, we dug deep and played a solid 60 minutes,” Bandits head coach Joe Young said.
Having so many returning players and have gained experience from a league title run, as well as a provincial title run last season has given the Bandits the advantage heading into this season’s playoffs.
“It’s about character in the playoffs. You’re going to go through a lot of adversity and ups and downs, and it’s the team that overcomes those obstacles that will win,” Young said.
“Luckily we have a lot of experience and the guys are used to it. Nobody panics on the bench and they know what we have to do, they know the job we have to do on the ice.”
While the Bandits walked through Thorhild, Killam poses a tougher test and plays a much different style.
“We thrive off everything right now. If guys want to beak us or talk to us, we like that, it gets the guys fired up and makes them play harder,” Young said. “Nothing in this league surprises me, or the team. We’re prepared for anything. If you want to think you’re going to throw us off our game by yapping at us, all that does is electrify us a little more and gives us more passion and wanting to beat you a little bit more.”
Danny Wheeler scored in the first, then Ian McAllister, Tyson Getzinger and Budd all tallied in the second before Lenny Young sealed the win late in the third, while Jesse Hnatiuk made 23 saves for the win.
“Unlike Killam, who have two good players who got 50 per cent of their points last year, we have three lines that can chip in with timely goals and that’s huge,” Budd said. “When you’re playing there they can shut down a line by matching lines, but it’s hard to shut down three lines.”
While they are up two games in the series, the Bandits know it is far from over heading out on the road for the next two.
“We don’t like them, they don’t like us and that’s great,” Young said. “We definitely know what kind of atmosphere we’re going into and that’s a big thing, we’re used to that. We’re going to expect the worst and the guys just have to go out there and play their game. I think Game 3 is do or die for them. If they go down 3-0, it’s going to be a hard road back.”
Game 3 is in Killam Friday, Game 4 will be Sunday and the Bandits will return home, if they need to, next Wednesday at the Civic Centre.