The Cranbrook Bucks are holding their heads high into the holidays.
The Bucks head into the holidays as the BCHL’s hottest team, they’ve won seven games in a row following Saturday’s 4-1 triumph over the Merritt Centennials.
Cranbrook vastly outplayed and outshot Merritt through the first period, but strong goaltending from the Centennials’ Conor Sullivan ensured his team remained within striking distance of the Bucks. The lone goal in the opening frame came around the eight-minute mark thanks to a Cam Kungle tally off a scramble on a power play. Cranbrook led 1-0 after twenty minutes of action, they outshot the Centennials 15-4 during that time.
The Bucks quickly added to their lead with a goal from Jaden Fodchuk in the early stages of the second period to go up 2-0. Later, Nick Peluso tapped in a great pass from Markus Yim to give the Bucks a 3-0 lead at 17:26. The Cents managed seven shots on Bucks goalie Carter Capton in the second period, but the Bucks maintained their 3-0 advantage into third period action.
Merritt finally found the scoreboard eleven minutes into the third period, Coleman Jenkins capitalized off a Bucks turnover deep in their zone and broke Capton’s shutout bid. However, that would not be enough for the Centennials to erase their deficit, and a Jarrod Smith goal on an empty net in the final minute secured a 4-1 win for Cranbrook.
Saturday’s win pull’s Cranbrook’s record to 19-8-1 while their winning streak sits at seven games as the BCHL pauses for its holiday break. Cranbrook outshot the Centennials 34-27 Saturday night.
The Bucks return to action Friday, December 30 to begin a home-and-home on the road versus the Trail Smoke Eaters. The two teams meet again at Western Financial Place on New Years Eve for 2022’s curtain call.
Buck Tracks:
- Jarrod Smith and Jaden Fodchuk each net 1g,1a.
- 1g for Kungle, 18 points this season (1 ahead of last year’s total)
- The Cranbrook Bucks wish you a safe and happy holidays, see you at the rink New Years Eve!
