Sports
St. Louis Bandits Thrilling Local Hockey Fans in Playoffs
The Bandits split two very tight playoff games with Janesville (Wisconsin) and will next travel to play Game 3 on April 8.
A wave of playoff hockey swept through Chesterfield Valley on Thursday and Friday nights and it had nothing to do with the NHL.
The local amateur hockey team, which includes forward Stephen Bopp from Kirkwood, began play in the North American Hockey League's semifinal playoffs on Thursday night with Game 1 of its series with the Janesville Jets from Wisconsin. Game 2 was played on Friday night.
St. Louis won Game 1 at the Hardees Iceplex in Chesterfield, 3-2. Bandits forward RJ Kleiman scored in the first period, forward Joe Kalisz knocked in a second-period goal and forward Isak Quakenbush scored in the third.
In Game 2, St. Louis fell behind 4-2 in the second period and its rally fell short in a 4-3 defeat. Game 3 will be played at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Janesville. Game 4 is will also be in Janesville. If Game 5 is necessary, it will be played at 6 p.m. April 11 at the Hardee's Iceplex.
The Bandits are coached by former NHL defenseman and won the NAHL’s North Division this season. Kelly Chase is the co-owner and vice president of operations. Brown and Chase are each ex-Blues players.
The Bandits are aiming to be the Robertson Cup Champions for the fourth time. The Cup is awarded to the NAHL playoff champion.
The Bandits feature four players from the St. Louis area, including defenseman Nick Carey from Wildwood (37 regular-season points), defenseman Patrick Sheehan from Creve Coeur, forward Tucker Long from Ballwin and Bopp (28 regular-season points).
Long attended and played club hockey at Parkway West, and in the 20 games he has played this season has scored eight points. However, Long is recovering from a concussion and may miss the playoffs.