The Brooks Bandits come to the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup on a mission: Securing a Royal Bank Cup berth.
This can be said about every team at the tournament this week, but only the Bandits were one series away from a trip to the Canadian Junior Hockey League championship.
The Bandits won their second-straight Alberta Junior Hockey League championship on Friday, beating the Spruce Grove Saints in five games, but their mission all year hasn't simply been to repeat, it's been to avenge their five-game loss to the Penticton Vees in last year's Doyle Cup.
The Bandits are loaded at every position, including five players in the top 11 in AJHL scoring and a record-breaking goalie in the crease, but they are also stacked on the blue-line and may be the most complete team at the WCC.
They've been ranked the No. 1 team in the CJHL for most of the season, and it's a ranking that is well earned, but it's a ranking they have not really concerned themselves with all year. It's RBC or bust.
Full Story by Josh Aldrich