SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – A pair of third period tallies eight seconds apart was part of a four-goal third period, which propelled the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) to a 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL) in day two play at the Royal Bank Cup Canadian national junior A championship in Summerside, P.E.I. 

Minnesota opened things up offensively at 14:49 of the first period as Nick McCormack beat Brooks’ starter Michael Frederick.

Wilderness off to slow start

The Alberta Junior Hockey League champion Bandits were quick to equalize as Cam Maclise fired his fourth goal in two games just 15 seconds later to knot the score after 20 minutes.

Each side added another marker apiece in the middle session with Conrad Sampair connecting for the Wilderness while Mark Reners countered for Brooks.

The score stayed that way until 8:03 to go when Chris Muscoby scored from the left point early into a man advantage opportunity after his shot hit a Minnesota defender and changed direction going high on Gordy Defiel.

Right after that Brooks struck again following the face-off as Anthony Petruzelli potted the eventual game-winner at 12:05. After Eric Carlson pulled the his side back to within one with two and a half minutes to go, Anthony Paskurak scored into the empty net to restore the two-goal lead for Brooks.

Another effort by Petruzelli, who picked up player of the game laurels for his squad, iced it for the Bandits. Sampair earned the nod for Minnesota.

Shots on goal favoured the AJHL side 32-28 as they improved to 2-0 while the Wilderness fell to 0-2.

Minnesota returns to RBC Cup game action Tuesday as they take on the Truro Bearcats (0-2) (MHL) at 3 p.m. AT.

2013 Royal Bank Cup
May 11-19 @ Summerside, P.E.I.

Competing teams
Host: Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
Eastern: Truro Bearcats (MHL)
Central: Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
Western 1: Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
Western 2: Brooks Bandits (AJHL)

Schedule (All start times Atlantic Standard Time)
Saturday, May 11
Brooks 7 Truro 1
Summerside 5 Minnesota 1
Sunday, May 12
Surrey 7 Truro 0
Brooks 6 Minnesota 3
Monday, May 13
Summerside vs. Surrey 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14
Truro vs. Minnesota 3 p.m.
Brooks vs. Summerside 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15
Minnesota vs. Surrey 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 16
Surrey vs. Brooks 3 p.m.
Summerside vs. Truro 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 18
*Semifinal No. 1 – 2 p.m.
*Semifinal No. 2 – 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 
RBC Championship Game – Time T.B.A.

*-1st place team play chooses semifinal time slot.