BROOKS BANDITS CAPTURE NATIONAL JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP

PHOTO: HockeyCanada.ca

BROOKS, AB – Simon Boyko scored twice, including the eventual winner, as the Brooks Bandits beat the Prince George Spruce Kings 4-3 on Sunday to win Canada’s men’s junior-A hockey championship.

William Lemay and Nathan Plessis also scored as Brooks built a 4-1 lead by the second intermission.

Nick Poisson and Nolan Welsh both had third-period goals as Prince George’s rally came up short. Patrick Cozzi scored 2:22 into the second period.

Pierce Charleson made 26 saves for the win. Logan Neaton stopped 25 shots for the Spruce Kings.

The Bandits did not score on their three power plays and Prince George was 1 for 2 with the man advantage.

Brooks is the fourth host team in the last five years to win the national title, joining the Portage Terriers (2015), Cobourg Cougars (2017) and Chilliwack Chiefs (2018).