Bandits earn berth to championship game
The St. Louis Bandits (3-0=6) secured a berth to the Robertson Cup championship game after their 5-2 victory over the Mahoning Valley Phantoms (2-1-1=5) in the first game on the fourth day of the five-day, four-game round-robin portion of the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, Iowa.
Ryan Rashid connected for a pair of goals for the Bandits, and Kyle Greco and Anthany Schooley each notched a goal and an assist. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid picked up the win in net.
In the late game, the Central Division champion Bismarck Bobcats (1-2=2) bested the host North Iowa Outlaws (0-2-1=1), 3-2, in two overtimes. Jason Fabian scored the game-winner for the Bobcats, and John Clark recorded two assists. In goal, Matt Grogan made 46 saves.
Tomorrow, in the final day of the round robin, the Bobcats will play the West Division champion Wenatchee Wild (2-1=4) at 3 p.m. (CST) and the Bandits will face off against the Outlaws at 7:30 p.m.
The two teams with the most points at the conclusion of the round robin will play in the Robertson Cup championship game on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion, which also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior A national champion.
For more information on the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, visit RobertsonCup.com.