The Brooks Bandits raided the West Kelowna Warriors' nest Sunday at the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup junior A hockey championship in Estevan, Sask.
The Alberta-champion Bandits scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Warriors 4-2.
Cole Makar's power-play goal with 31 seconds left in the second period stood as the game-winner and Jeff Malot added a shorthanded goal 1:53 into the third period to cap the scoring.
The Warriors had 13 power-play opportunities but could manage just one goal with the extra skater. That came 19 minutes into the first period when Quin Foreman scored to make it a 2-1 game, with assists to Kyle Marino and former Prince George Spruce King Bryan Basilico. Seven minutes earlier, Brett Mennear tied the game for the Warriors.
Jesse Baird and Tristan Thompson were the other goalscorers for the Bandits in their opening game of the tournament.
The Bandits' power play ended up 1-for-8. The loss left West Kelowna, the B.C Hockey League champions, with a 1-1 record.
Shots were 38-34 in favour of West Kelowna. Garrett Hughson made 36 saves in the Bandits' nets.
The Warriors defeated the host Estevan Bruins 3-0 Saturday night.
Warriors goalie Matthew Greenfield returned to action Saturday after missing the better part of two games in the BCHL Fred Page Cup final series with an upper-body injury.
Greenfield made 30 saves to notch the shutout against the Bruins.
Warriors forwards Liam Blackburn and Jake LeBrun, both Prince George minor hockey graduates, were held off the scoresheet in the West Kelowna's first two games at the five-team tournament.
In Sunday's late game, the Manitoba-champion Portage Terriers beat the host Bruins 3-2.
The Melfort Mustangs (Saskatchewan champions) faced Brooks on Monday night. Next up for the Warriors is a game this afternoon against the Terriers.
The two finalists advance to the RBC Cup national championship tournament in Lloydminster,Sask., May 14-22.
