Brantford Bandits went one for nine with the man advantage and allowed four powerplay goals as they lost 5-3 to the Cambridge Redhawks in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) action on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
The Bandits came out flat to start the game as the Redhawks spent the opening 40 seconds in the offensive zone. Cambridge continued to take it to the Bandits over the first five minutes, spending long stretches on the attack in the Bandits zone but couldn’t beat goalie Dylan Dewachter.
Brantford finally found their legs eight minutes in when they finally got their first seconds of sustained pressure in the offensive zone, which led to their first powerplay of the game. The Bandits opened the scoring 1:57 later, just as the powerplay was expiring when forward Evan Palubeski ripped a shot from a bad angle past Redhawks goalie Patrick Sutherland for the 1-0 lead.
The Bandits increased their lead just over two minutes later after forward David Bodzai led a rush down the ice and buried a shot past Sutherland to open up a 2-0 lead. Cambridge got one back with their first powerplay marker of the game but the Bandits responded in the final minute, spending most of it in the Redhawks zone and capitalizing after forward Juan Agromayor was left all alone in the slot and put the puck in the net for a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The Redhawks, once again, came out soaring to start the second stanza as they spent the opening minute on the attack in the Bandits zone but were then called for a penalty, giving Brantford their second powerplay of the game. The Bandits couldn’t muster much offence and allowed a short-handed breakaway and three quality scoring chances during the man advantage.
Brantford then went on the penalty kill after forward Tyron Fevry was sent off for head contact. Cambridge buzzed in the offensive zone, scoring 22 seconds into the powerplay to get back within one, 3-2. Three minutes later, Cambridge knotted things at three when they capitalized on another chance off the rush.
Brantford then went on three consecutive powerplays, including a five-on-three for 48 seconds but the Redhawks played well defensively as they kept things all tied up. Both teams continued to trade chances down the stretch but neither team could gain the advantage. The Bandits had the best chance to regain the lead after Redhawks forward Drake Neal was assessed a five-minute major for hitting from behind and a game misconduct. The Bandits were on the powerplay for the remaining 2:42 but couldn’t get the go-ahead goal as the teams remained deadlocked at three after two periods.
Brantford started the final frame on their five-minute powerplay as they had 2:18 remaining but couldn’t maintain any offensive zone pressure as the Redhawks killed it off with ease. Just 16 seconds later, Brantford was awarded their eighth man advantage but, once again, couldn’t break the tie.
With 12 minutes remaining, the Redhawks took control of the game when they capitalized on their third powerplay marker of the game to take a 4-3 lead. The Bandits then ran into penalty trouble, getting called for three consecutive penalties, including a five-minute major to Palubeski for head contact. Cambridge added one more powerplay goal during the major penalty to seal the 5-3 victory.
