That’s one down and one to go for the Cranbrook Bucks in Prince George.
The Bucks kicked off their two-game visit to the Caribou with a 3-2 win over the Spruce Kings Friday night in a closely fought contest.
First period action was back and forth, but Bucks goalie Nathan Airey and Prince George’s Jordan Fairlie were able to hold fort to keep the game scoreless through twenty minutes. Both teams traded power play chances, and the Bucks outshot the home team 11-10 in the opening frame.
The newest member of the herd made a good first impression early in the second period. In his Cranbrook Bucks debut, Blake Cotton found the net at 3:32 to put his new team in a 1-0 lead. Prince George tied the game 1-1 at 7:11 via Jack Stockfish’s fifth goal of the season. The two clubs took a 2-2 tie into the third period
The Bucks came out strong after intermission and took an early third period lead thanks to Jack Silich’s team-leading 15th goal of the season at 1:29. A Prince George power play put the home team back into a 2-2 tie at 7:59, John Herrington converted for his 14th goal of the campaign. Overtime seemed to be on the horizon, but a heads up play from Jarrod Smith to tap in a loose puck from the slot put the Bucks in a 3-2 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the third period. The Spruce Kings pulled their goalie with time dwindling, but Airey once again stood tall to lead his Bucks to a 3-2 victory.
Friday’s win puts the Bucks on a two-game winning streak with a 14-8-1 record, they were outshot 35-23. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play was 0/2 and their penalty kill finished 4/5.
These two clubs meet again Saturday to finish their double-header in Prince George.
Buck Tracks:
- Blake Cotton’s 1st Bucks goal is also his first BCHL career goal.
- 70th BCHL game for Nathan Airey.
