The Cranbrook Bucks are heading into the holiday break riding a hot streak after completing a sweep of their home-and-home with the Trail Smoke Eaters following Saturday’s entertaining 4-3 triumph.
Trail goalie Evan Fradette was on his game in the first period, turning aside all of Cranbrook’s 14 shots. The lone goal of the period came from Trail forward Connor Michaud on a power play at 3:29 after he caught a rebound off the boards. Cranbrook was unable to tally the teddy bear toss goal through twenty minutes, and Trail maintained a 1-0 lead after the first period despite coughing up two power play chances to the Bucks.
The offence was clicking for both sides in the first minute of the second period. Trail jumped out to a 2-0 lead just nine seconds into the middle frame via a power play goal from Zach Michaelis. The Bucks would reply at 0:45 with a Cole Assaily blast, signaling a great showing from the Cranbrook crowd on teddy bear toss night. Trail managed to briefly regain their two-goal lead off a nice play from the slot resulting in a Cam Moger goal, pushing the score to a 3-1 Smoke Eaters advantage. The Bucks managed to get one back in the final minute off a Tyson Dyck one-timer for his 17th of the season. It was a 3-2 lead for Trail after forty minutes.
The Bucks knew they needed a big third period to avoid a fifth straight loss on home ice, and they delivered. Noah Quinn tied the game 3-3 at 4:45 after taking a nice feed from Tyson Dyck. Brendan Rogers delivered the go-ahead goal at 7:35 to give Cranbrook a 4-3 lead. The Smokies pushed hard as the period went on, but Nathan Airey was perfect through the homestretch to preserve a big 4-3 win for the Cranbrook Bucks.
The Bucks will head into the holiday break riding a three game winning streak, the win improves their record to 13-10-1. On the flip side, Trail has lost their last three and their record falls to 12-10-1.
These two teams will meet again in Cranbrook again on December 31 in their returns from the BCHL holiday break.
Buck Tracks:
- Cole Assailly scores first ever Cranbrook Bucks Teddy Bear Toss goal.
- 1st ever BCHL game for Bryce Sookro.
- Cranbrook ties season series 3-3.
- Tyson Dyck nets 17th goal of the season, 11th multi point game of the year.
Photo Credit: Dale Fletcher
