In a game that had everything, the Sherwood Park Crusaders battled their way back into the Interior-East Final, evening the series at 2-2 with a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory over the Brooks Bandits in game 4.
Heading into the fourth game of the series, the Crusaders were looking to shake off a 6-5 overtime loss the previous night in game 3.
It would be the bandits, however, striking first in the opening frame as Harry Ahlberg and Jack Rosensteel would both score in the first ten minutes of the game to put Brooks up 2-0. The Crusaders would answer back in the second half of the first when Joseph Sinclair would drive his first of the post-season home on the powerplay to make it a 2-1 game with nine minutes left in the period. The Bandits would re-gain their two goal lead six minutes later as Liam Fitzpatrick would score on the wrap-around to make it a 3-1 game. That would not be the final goal of the period though as Michael Mikan would redirect a point shot to give the Harvard commit his second of the playoffs and to make it 3-2 heading into the middle period.
The Second period would be all Crusaders hockey as Braden O’Keefe would capitalize on a rebound given out by Bandits goalie Zach Zaharah to even up the score 3-3, five minutes into the frame. The game’s next goal wouldn’t come until the the five minute mark of the period as Quincey Supprien would tip a point shot home to give Sherwood Park their first lead of game four, 4-3.
The lead would remain in favour of the Crusaders for most of the third until Isaac Johnson would score short-handed with just seven minute left in the game to notch it four a piece. With both team’s not scoring for the remainder of the period, it would go into overtime for the second straight game.
Overtime action would prove entertaining as both teams would trade chances however it would be the Crusaders coming out on top when Ryan White would send one on net that would deflect off a stick before finding the back of the net to give the Crusaders the 5-4 win, tying the series at 2-2.
The Cru’ hit the road back to Brooks for game five on Friday at 7:00, then welcome the Bandits back at home on Sunday at 5:30. Tickets for Sunday’s game can be found here.
