The Cranbrook Bucks are riding a wave of momentum into their first multi-city road trip of the season after a very convincing 8-0 win over the Merritt Centennials.
It seemed like the ice was tilted toward Merritt’s net for the first half of the opening period. The Bucks had an 11-0 shots lead at one point, the Centennials finally managed to register their first shot on Cranbrook goalie Nathan Airey nearly twelve minutes into the game.
Both teams were unable to tally on multiple power play attempts, the Bucks left the first period with a 1-0 lead after a Cole Assailly blast beat Merritt goalie Keegan Maddocks at the 18:20 mark.
The floodgates opened in the second period for the Cranbrook Bucks, and in a very big way. The Bucks needed just fourteen seconds to increase their lead to 2-0 in the middle frame, and things went from good to better from there for Cranbrook. The Bucks tallied six times in the second period – a new franchise record – to take a 7-0 lead after 2 periods.
Cranbrook took their collective feet off the gas in the third period, but still managed to get a power play goal from Luke Pfoh, sealing the deal for an 8-0 Cranbrook Bucks victory.
The win pushes Cranbrook’s winning streak to three games, a franchise record. It was also the first shutout for Nathan Airey’s BCHL career.
Wednesday’s win improves Cranbrook’s record to 5-3, while the Merritt Centennials’ record falls to 0-9. The Bucks will be hitting the road for a pair of games over the weekend. They’re up against the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday before visiting the Langley Rivermen on Saturday.
Buck Tracks:
- Cranbrook defenceman Bauer Morrissey scored his first career BCHL goal
- Bucks goalie Nathan Airey earned the first shutout of his BCHL career.
- The Bucks set a franchise record for most goals scored in a period, with six in the 2nd
- Cranbrook established a new franchise record for most goals scored in one game, scoring 8 vs Merritt.
- Cranbrook’s current three-game winning streak is the longest in franchise history.
- Bucks home record improves to 4-1.
- Forward Johnny Johnson extends point streak to four games.
