The Cranbrook Bucks are heading into the BCHL all star break on a winning note after Sunday’s 5-2 triumph over the Vernon Vipers.
The Bucks hit the ground running in the first period, a Noah Quinn goal twenty-two seconds into the game lifted Cranbrook to an early 1-0 lead. There would be more to come from the Nelson product. Cranbrook limited the Vipers to just four shots in the first period, the Bucks maintained their 1-0 through twenty minutes.
The Vipers made their necessary adjustments in the first intermission, and they were rewarded with the tying goal near the five-minute mark of the second period. A well-placed shot from Vernon’s leading scorer Regan Millburn found its way through Bucks goalie Matthew Fleet to square the game up at 1-1. The Bucks were able to hold off Vernon’s shooters the rest of the way through the middle frame, and the game remained a 1-1 tie.
The game opened up advantageously for the Bucks in the third period. The Bucks restored their lead at 2-1 with a Donovan Frias goal at 1:30, Noah Quinn added his second of the night at 15:36 off a deflection to put Cranbrook at a 3-1 advantage. Vernon responded shortly after Quinn’s second goal when Walker Erikson finished a passing play on a Vipers rush with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker to pull within one at 3-2. Vernon tried for the extra attacker after the following faceoff, but the Bucks responded with a pair of empty net goals from Noah Quinn and Kellan Hjartarson to secure a 5-2 win.
Sunday’s victory brings Cranbrook’s record to 24-10-1, they were outshot by the Vipers 35-33.
The Bucks are off for a few days, save for Jack Silich, Donovan Frias and Jaxon Fuder, who will be taking part in next weekend’s all star game/top prospects game in Penticton. The next Bucks game is January 27 at Western Financial Place versus the West Kelowna Warriors.
Buck Tales:
- Matthew Fleet wins in first start at Western Financial Place, 2-0 so far.
- 2nd hattrick of the season for Noah Quinn.
- Jack Silich will suit up at the BCHL All Star game next weekend, Silich joins Donovan Frias and Jaxon Fuder for the Top Prospects Game.
