Sports
St. Louis Bandits Thrill Local Hockey Fans in Playoffs
This local amateur hockey team features four players from the St. Louis area, including defenseman Nick Carey from Wildwood.
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 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.
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 forward Stephen Bopp from Kirkwood (28 points).
St. Louis won Game 1 at the Hardees Iceplex in Chesterfield, 3-2. Bandits forward R.J. 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.
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Game 3 will be played next Friday, April 8, at Janesville at 7:30 p.m. If Game 5 is necessary, it will be played on April 11 at 6 p.m. 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.