It was a longer road trip than what the Cranbrook Bucks had bargained for, but it ended on a positive note following Monday’s impressive 6-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers.
The two clubs traded early first period goals to kick things off. Nanaimo broke the ice with a goal from Tyler Wishart at 2:25 to go up 1-0. The Bucks responded with Ethan Sundar’s second goal of the season at 3:02 to square up at 1-1. Cranbrook added one more goal at the halfway mark of the opening frame, Jarrod Smith scored his first of two tallies on the night to put the Bucks in a 2-1 lead. The Clippers fired 14 shots on Nathan Airey through the first twenty minutes, but he made 13 saves to preserve Cranbrook’s 2-1 lead at intermission.
Cranbrook’s lead grew to 3-1 early in the second period with a Nick Peluso goal. The Clippers got one back at 9:28 via Kai Daniells’ eleventh goal of the season to pull Nanaimo to a 3-2 deficit. Airey was on his mark once again in the second period, stopping 13 of 14 shots while his Bucks led 3-2 after forty minutes.
The Bucks put the game away early in the third period with Smith’s second goal of the night at 1:02 to double their lead to 4-2. That was followed with goals from Rhys Bentham and Julian Frias to take a 6-2 lead, which ended up being the final score.
Monday’s win gives Cranbrook a 9-6-1 record, they’re currently fifth in the Interior Conference standings. The Bucks were outshot 40-31. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play went 2/5 while their penalty kill finished 2/2.
This game versus Nanaimo was played Monday night to make up for Friday’s meeting which was postponed following a series of events which included, but were not limited to; heavy rain, mechanical issues with a bus, spur the moment accommodation challenges, ferry dilemmas and a power outage.
The Bucks finally return home November 12 to face the Victoria Grizzlies.
Buck Tracks:
- 1st multi-goal game of the season for Jarrod Smith.
- 1st career BCHL goal for Julian Frias.
- 1 assist for Willem Terwoord, 1st career BCHL point.
Lead Photo by Island Photo
