The red-hot Cranbrook Bucks are off to are picking up in 2022 where they left off in 2021.
The Bucks were able to stage a third period comeback to open the calendar year with a thrilling 4-3 New Year’s Day-win over the Trail Smoke Eaters, pushing their winning streak to five games – that includes four straight wins over Trail dating back to December 17, 2021.
The Trail Smoke Eaters began the game with designs on erasing New Years Eve’s 4-0 setback in Cranbrook, and they were able to find the goal early from Teddy Lagerback at 1:50. The Bucks replied in short order via Hayden Gelbard at 2:55 to tie the game 1-1. A first period seesaw battle continued when Trail reclaimed a one-goal lead from Charlie Strobel at 17:22. Again, Cranbrook responded in short order with Noah Quinn’s first goal of the night (11th of the season) at 18:10. Trail continued the tug-of-war to the final minute, when captain Coalson Wolford tallied at 19:07 to put his Smoke Eaters up 3-2 at the end of the first period.
The second period saw the two clubs play things a little more safely. Both sides coughed up power plays, but neither could add to the scoresheet. The score remained a 3-2 Trail lead heading into the third period.
The Bucks began the final frame with an early high-sticking penalty to Luke Pfoh. But the talented young rookie was bailed out on the ensuing penalty kill via Noah Quinn’s second goal of the game, coming short-handed at 3:37. With the game at a 3-3 tie near the midway mark of the third period, special teams would come into play again – in a big way. The Bucks found themselves on a power play after a cross-checking call on Trail’s Nicolas Roussel, this gave way to a power play goal from Johnny Johnson in the dying seconds of the man-advantage at 11:29 to lift Cranbrook to a 4-3 lead – their first lead of the game. Johnson’s goal would be all Cranbrook needed, as the Bucks were able to hold Trail off the scoreboard the rest of the way and secured a 4-3 victory.
With the victory, Cranbrook’s record jumps to 15-10-1 while Trail drops to .500 at 12-12-1. Cranbrook finished the game with a short-handed goal, while their power play finished 2/3. Trail’s power play went 1/7, the shots battle ended in a 36-36 tie.
The Bucks continue their busy start to the new year in Merritt Sunday versus the Centennials, they will be looking to push their winning streak to six games.
Buck Tracks:
- Newcomer Declan Ride records an assist, his first point with the Bucks.
- Two goals for Noah Quinn, (4 goals, 6 points in last 3 games).
- Bucks sweep 2 straight home-and-homes vs Trail (Dec 17/18 + Dec 31/Jan1)
- Bucks lead season series 5-3.
