The Cranbrook Bucks took the ice Saturday evening for their BCHL regular-season debut against the Penticton Vees but fell short in a 6-3 loss. Cam Reid scored the first goal in franchise history for the Bucks while AJ Vasko and Tyson Dyck each recorded their first BCHL goals. Nathan Airey made his first BCHL start, stopping 33 of 38 shots.
After a scoreless first period, Cam Reid opened the scoring midway through the second period to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead. Penticton would tie it up two minutes later before Ryan Upson gave the Vees a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission. AJ Vasko tied the game at 2 early in the 3rd period but the Vees would go on to score three unanswered goals later in the frame to take a 5-2 lead. A late goal from Tyson Dyck sparked a late surge of pressure from the Bucks but the Vees held their ground and went on to seal the 6-3 win with an empty-net goal courtesy of Tristan Amonte.
“I thought our group gave a strong effort considering the challenges we’ve had to get back to game action,” said Head Coach & General Manager Ryan Donald. “Like any game, we found ourselves with some highs and lows but I liked our resolve and the way that we competed until the end.”
The Bucks’ next game is Sunday, April 4 at 5PM MST against the Trail Smoke Eaters at the South Okanagan Events Centre. All games can be caught on HockeyTV and Shaw Spotlight.
