The Yarmouth Mariners lost their opening game of the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, 7-2 to the two-time defending CJHL champion Brooks Bandits (AJHL).
Brooks opened the scoring at 5:13 of the 1st period with Elliot Dutil’s first of two goals in the period. Yarmouth tied the game at 13:00 as Nathan Kelly beat Bandits goaltender Ethan Barwick. But Brooks finished the period strong, with Dutil’s second of the period at 15:21, then two more, including one on the powerplay, in the final minute to take a 4-1 lead after the game’s opening 20 minutes. Yarmouth were outshot 18-3.
The teams traded goals in the 2nd period, where the shots were much closer at 11-7 for Brooks. Ethan Bayer gave the Bandits a 5-1 lead at 13:05, but Michael Marquez got it back at 14:25 to make it a 5-2 game as the teams headed to the 3rd period.
Another powerplay goal from Brooks at 6:02 gave the Bandits a 6-2 lead, and Brooks rounded out the scoring with a goal at 13:17 for the 7-2 final. Shots in the 3rd period were 15-2 for Brooks for a final game total of 44-12. Keegan Warren took the loss in goal for Yarmouth. The Mariners were 0/1 on the powerplay, compared to 2/6 for Brooks.
The Mariners play their second game Friday, May 12th at 5:30 p.m. AT against the NOJHL champion Timmins Rock, who are playing their first game of the tournament.