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Game Recap: Bucks Bounce Back with 4-1 Win in Merritt

The Cranbrook Bucks are back in the win column after exacting a bit of payback Friday night in Merritt. The Bucks were able to bounce back from Thursday’s loss to the Centennials in their rematch with a 4-1 victory.

Cranbrook got things moving early in the first period, Nick Peluso lifted his club to a 1-0 lead at the 2:49 mark. The Bucks made it a 2-0 lead with Julian Frias’ third goal of the season with just over one-minute remaining in the opening frame. Their 2-0 lead would hold steady through intermission.

The Centennials faced a barrage of shots in the second period, the Bucks blasted fifteen pucks on target through the middle frame. They managed to build their lead to 3-0 at 9:12 thanks to a Bauer Morrissey goal, Noah Quinn’s assist put him up to 81 career BCHL points to make him the Cranbrook Bucks’ all time leading scorer. The Bucks carried their 3-0 lead into the third period.

Merritt managed to narrow the gap near the midway point of the third period when Jaxson Murray broke Bucks goalie Matthew Fleet’s shutout bid in his BCHL debut, while cutting Cranbrook’s lead to 3-1. However, that was as close as the Centennials would get. The Bucks managed to put the game out of reach late in the third period when Jack Silich converted on an empty net to give Cranbrook a 4-1 win, splitting their double-header in Merritt.

Friday’s win brings Cranbrook’s record to 22-9-1, they outshot the Centennials 42-27. The Bucks conclude their road trip Saturday versus the Chilliwack Chiefs.

Buck Tracks:

  • Noah Quinn (1 assist) becomes Cranbrook Bucks all time leading scorer (81 points).
  • 101st career BCHL game for Jarrod Smith.
  • BCHL debut for goalie Matthew Fleet, stops 26 of 27 shots.