A heartbreaking Saturday night for the Cranbrook Bucks following their 5-4 overtime loss to the Merritt Centennials.
The Bucks were looking to gain redemption from Friday’s 4-2 setback versus Merritt, and they put themselves in a good position by picking up the game’s first goal past the midway mark of the first period. Julian Frias found a rebound bouncing in front of the Centennials goal and backhanded Cranbrook to a 1-0 lead at 12:43. The Bucks held their 1-0 lead into the first intermission with the shots count tied 11-11.
Merritt tied the game early in the second period via Nathan Taylor’s first BCHL goal at 3:14. The Bucks regained a one-goal advantage less than two-minutes later with a goal from Oskar Cederqvist to put Cranbrook up 2-1. However, the Cents clawed back into a 2-2 tie thanks to a Dylan Lariviere tally at 10:19. A back and forth middle frame ended with the teams deadlocked at 2-2.
The Centennials began an eventful third period with a go-ahead goal from Zachary Losier at 3:14 to take a 3-2 lead, but that was erased via Bryce Sookro’s power play goal for the Bucks just shy of the ten-minute barrier. With the game tied 3-3, Losier’s second goal of the period at 13:48 had Merritt set to cruise to victory with a late 4-3 lead, but the Bucks weren’t done yet. A fortuitous bounce for Cranbrook in the dying minutes led to Noah Urness netting the tying goal at 14:55 to send the game to overtime at a 4-4 tie after regulation.
Cranbrook began 3-on-3 overtime with a bit of pressure in the Centennials end, but a neutral zone turnover led to Losier walking into the Bucks zone and tallying the winner off his own rebound – giving Merritt a 5-4 victory, their second win in as many nights at Western Financial Place.
Saturday’s loss sees Cranbrook’s record dip to 2-3-1, the Bucks are winless in their last three games. Cranbrook outshot the Centennials 39-38 Saturday night. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play finished 1/5 and they were 2/3 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks return to action Friday at home versus the Penticton Vees.
Buck Tracks:
- 2 game goal streak for Noah Urness.
- 1 assist for Loke Södergren, 1st BCHL point.
- 80th career BCHL game for Jaden Fodchuk
