The Gorillas Hockey Academy ORANGE - 17M used a dominant third-period performance to pull away from the HDC Bandits - 17M, securing a decisive 6-2 victory. The game was a tight-checking affair for the first two frames, with the Gorillas holding a narrow 3-2 lead despite being outshot 26-12. The Bandits' early discipline issues set the tone, as penalties to Jett Gaulton and Bryce Ector in the first period gave the Gorillas momentum. Jett Ranslam capitalized, opening the scoring midway through the first with helpers from Torin Hewson and Croy Adams. The Bandits fought back in the second, with Landry Umscheid and Grayson Geers finding the net to tie the game at 2-2, but Gorillas' forward Caleb Smith answered late in the period to restore the one-goal lead heading into the final twenty minutes.
The third period was all Gorillas, as they flipped the script and unleashed a 17-shot barrage. The game-winning goal came just 54 seconds into the period, as Jase Ristola finished a play from Parker Weber and Jett Ranslam to make it 4-2. That goal opened the floodgates. Ranslam completed his hat trick with two more goals in the period, showcasing his chemistry with Caleb Smith, who assisted on both. Smith was a playmaking force, finishing the night with a goal and three assists. Jase Ristola added his second of the game, a power-play marker, to cap the scoring. The Bandits' penalty troubles continued in the third, with Cruise Dawe and Mason Gackle taking minors that the Gorillas' potent power play exploited.
While goaltender stats weren't specifically tracked, the shot totals tell the story of two different games. The Bandits' netminder faced a relentless attack in the third, ultimately surrendering four goals on 17 shots. Conversely, the Gorillas' goalie weathered a strong second period from the Bandits, who fired 13 shots and scored twice, before shutting the door completely in the third despite another 13 shots against. The Gorillas' discipline wavered in the second period with five minors, including two to Beckham LaBossiere, but they tightened up when it mattered. Jett Ranslam was the undeniable star with a hat trick and two assists, driving the offense that overwhelmed the Bandits in a stunning final-frame display.
