Steel Div. Summer 24 Final: Bandits Steal the Show in a Nail-Biter Finish

Well, folks, if you were hoping for a laid-back summer game, you clearly weren’t at the rink yesterday. The Bandits decided to keep things spicy by winning the Summer ‘24 Steel Div. Championship with a buzzer-beating, heart-pounding, beer-spilling 3-2 victory over the Hellfish. And let me tell ya, it wasn’t for the faint of heart—I'm still recovering from yelling at the ref about that last minute penalty call.

The game had more twists than a pretzel factory, but the real kicker came in the last three seconds (yes, you read that right). Just when it looked like we were headed for OT, Tyler Dickerhoff, who woke up in Maine that morning, rearranged his flight schedule like a man on a mission and still managed to show up in time to play. And not only that, but he went full clutch-mode, sniping the game-winner from a behind-the-goal-line pass from Ren Pelle. Talk about dedication! Someone buy this man a round—actually, buy him two for that flight hustle!

As for the Hellfish, props to Keith Squier for battling through yet another final. Unfortunately, Keith is starting to feel a bit like the HAHL version of Joe Thornton—so close to the cup, but somehow it keeps slipping away. Seven finals in a row, and the man’s still chasing that elusive win. Someone give Keith a hug and a pep talk, because one of these days, he's gotta break that jinx.

Hellfish, you fought like hell (pun totally intended), but the Bandits had the last laugh. Better luck next season, gents. Until then, I'll be keeping my stick on the ice and my beer cold.

Stay frosty


Check out the final minutes recap here.