In their final game of the round-robin portion of the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup, the Brooks Bandits ensured they'd be top seed by blanking the Steinbach Pistons 3-0.
Anthony Petruzzelli's goal early in the first proved to be all the offence the Bandits would need as Michael Fredrick was flawless in net making 25 saves.
Taylor Makin and Maddison Smiley added tallies in the second for extra insurance as the Bandits improved their record to 3-1 which puts them atop the standings with the rest of the field having a game left to play.
A string of penalties assessed to Steinbach in the second period prevented them from getting any traction in the middle frame. They outshot Brooks 10-8 in the third but couldn't solve Fredrick.
The Pistons (0-3) play Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Nanaimo Clippers (1-2).
Brooks will get two days off now and await the conclusion of the round robin to see who their semifinal opponent will be. They'll be top seed by virtue of the fact they're 3-1 and have wins over the only other teams (Surrey and Yorkton) that could match their record.
