The Cranbrook Bucks began their “March” to the postseason with a big win over a potential playoff opponent, earning a 2-1 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Thursday night.
The first period came and went quickly. Both goalies looked very sharp throughout the first twenty minutes. The lone goal of the period came from a well-placed point shot from Silverbacks defenceman Jake Lammens at the six-minute mark. The Bucks trailed 1-0 when the buzzer sounded to end the first period.
The speedy pace of play between the two clubs continued in the middle frame. The Bucks were able to convert on a lucky bounce around the fifteen-minute mark. Tyson Dyck was able to bounce a puck off the back of red-hot Silverbacks goalie Owen Say on the power play, vaulting the game into a 1-1 tie. The deadlock remained active heading into the third period.
Neither team pushed the envelope too hard in the third period. Regulation time ended with the 1-1 tie remaining intact – forcing 3-on-3 overtime. The Bucks didn’t need much time to seal the game, Tyson Dyck potted the overtime winner just over one-minute into extra frames after he converted a perfect pass from Kellan Hjartarson.
Thursday’s win improves Cranbrook’s record to 24-18-2-2. The Bucks outshot Salmon Arm 36-30, they converted on 1 of 2 power play chances while the Silverbacks failed to convert their lone power play opportunity.
The Bucks hit the road for their next set of games. They begin a double-header versus the Wild in Wenatchee on Saturday.
Buck Tracks:
- Kellan Hjartarson extends point streak to four games.
- Tyson Dyck (2 goals) breaks 60 point barrier (7th multi goal game of the season).
- Bucks beat Salmon Arm 4-1 in season series.
