“Our coaches did a great job and they really told us that we just get to get our head down and work hard. I think that’s what we did and we just went goal by goal and eventually, we looked up and we won the game,” explains defenseman Ethan Beyer. “I think we’re pretty happy with that and, (it’s) really good that our group is resilient.”
Something else the Brooks Bandits are adapting to, is modified AJHL schedule this season. It entails extra journey time and a higher variety of video games.
That intense schedule, is one thing each rookie participant, together with Calgary’s Logan Sawyer, has needed to regulate to rapidly.
“I think it’s just more professional, we’re practicing all the time. We’re always working out, watching video, just getting better as a group,” Sawyer says.
Yet, the prolonged time on the street permits him to rapidly kind bonds along with his teammates, together with Ethan Beyer.
“(Beyer’s) such an easy guy to get along with. He’s obviously a great, really skilled player, awesome to play with. But yeah, off the ice he’s super super nice, really outgoing,” says Sawyer.
“I love the kid to death, but like I said, he’s a kid. I gotta look after him and make sure he does the right stuff,” Beyer says, referring to his teammate Sawyer.
Mason sees the tight-knit Brooks group, the place fellow gamers are only a 5-minute drive away, as a relentless benefit of being part of the Bandits.
“In the end, I think that’s extremely beneficial to a team’s success, is willingness to have each other’s back. The closer you get, the more willing you are to fight for every inch on the ice for your teammate,” says coach Mason.
The Bandits could have the possibility to play for home followers, 7pm tonight in opposition to the Sherwood Park Crusaders. On Saturday, they are going to tackle the Camrose Kodiaks.
“It’s so cool playing in front of fans every single night and the support that we get here is, it’s unreal,” mentions Sawyer. “It’s pretty exciting, you get really excited for every home game that you play.”
