Photo Credit: Dale Fletcher
The Cranbrook Bucks and Wenatchee Wild concluded their latest double header on Sunday, and the Bucks were not able to duplicate Saturday’s result. The Wild flexed their systematic defence on Cranbrook to take a 3-0 win on Sunday, exacting a measure of revenge after falling 4-2 to the Bucks Saturday night.
Neither team was able to find the scoreboard in the first period. Each team fired 9 shots through the opening frame, and both clubs failed to convert on their power play chances.
Wenatchee broke the scoreless deadlock early in the second period. Cade Stibbie picked up his 11th goal of the season just under the two-minute mark to put the Wild in a 1-0 lead. Wenatchee followed up with goals from Anthony Cafarelli and Cade Littler to extend their lead to 3-0. Tempers flared toward the end of the period, Bucks forward Liam Hansson and Wenatchee’s Cafarelli were both tossed out of the game after a fight late in the second period. Cranbrook found themselves with a big hill to climb at the buzzer, trailing the Wild 3-0 heading into the third period.
The Bucks outplayed and outshot Wenatchee in the third period, but Wild goalie Andy Vlaha was able to stop all 11 shots directed his way in the final frame. Wenatchee kept Cranbrook off the scoreboard and sealed a 3-0 victory, while Vlaha put up a 35-save shutout win for the Wild.
With Sunday’s loss, Cranbrook’s record slips to 25-19-2-2. Cranbrook outshot Wenatchee 35-23, their power play finished 0/3 and they went 3/3 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks head back home to begin a double header with the Merritt Centennials on Thursday, March 10.
Buck Tracks:
- Bucks road record – 13-12-1-0.
- Tyson Dyck finishes weekend 5th in BCHL scoring (31-33-64).
- No power play goals for Cranbrook through last 2 games.
