The Blackfalds Bulldogs are facing elimination after losing a crucial Game 3 on Tuesday.
In the Alberta Junior Hockey League South Division Finals, the Brooks Bandits took a stranglehold on the series beating the Bulldogs 5-3 to take a 3-0 series lead.
With the loss, the Bulldogs are now in danger of being swept on Wednesday when they host the Bandits in Game 4 at 7 p.m. at the Eagle Builders Centre.
In the first period, Brooks jumped out to a 1-0 lead just four and a half minutes in off the stick of Heath Armstrong.
The Bulldogs found the equalizer approximately two minutes later when Bulldogs forward Otto Hanson buried his third of the postseason.
Brooks retook the lead late in the opening frame when AJHL scoring champion Aiden Fink sniped his fifth of the playoffs.
Blackfalds tied the game once again early in the second period 2-2 scored by forward Connor Dick off the pass from Jason Siedem.
However, Brooks scored three straight goals to take a commanding lead by the midway point of the third period. Fink as well as Jordan Hughesman, and Nathan Free all found the back of the net.
Bulldogs Kasey Hiemstra scored late in the third period to bring the home team within two goals but the Bandits’ lead was too steep.
Bulldogs goaltender Matthew Hennessey had a solid evening making 29 saves and on the other end of the ice, Ethan Barwich stood tall with 19 saves.
The Bulldogs also struggled on the powerplay failing to score of five opportunities but held the Bandits to just one goal on the man advantage.
If the Bulldogs win in Game 4 on Wednesday the series will continue on Friday in Brooks at 7 p.m.
