The Cranbrook Bucks find themselves on the brink of elimination from the BCHL playoffs following their 4-2 loss to the Wenatchee Wild in game four Wednesday.
The Bucks blasted twelve shots on Wild goalie Andy Vlaha in the first period, but Wenatchee forward Parker Murray continued to steal the show. Murray had a four-goal outburst in game three, and he got started on another big night in the first period with the opening goal at 9:33 to put Wenatchee in a 1-0 lead. Cranbrook trailed 1-0 at intermission.
Cranbrook continued to pressure Wenatchee in the second period, but the Bucks had no answers for Murray who added another three goals for the Wild through the first half of the middle frame, building a 4-0 lead. It was Murray’s second consecutive four-goal game. The Bucks looked to begin mounting a comeback with a goal from Bryce Sookro at 11:39, but Cranbrook found themselves down 4-1 at intermission.
A third period goal from Bucks forward Noah Quinn cut Wenatchee’s lead to 4-2, but that was as close as they would get. The Wild skated to a 4-2 win to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first round series.
Wednesday’s loss forces a must-win game five on Friday for the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place. A win for Wenatchee will spell the end of Cranbrook’s season.
Buck Tracks:
- Noah Quinn scores his first playoff goal of the year.
- Nick Peluso up to 4 assists in the series.
