A much-needed win slipped away from the Cranbrook Bucks Friday night in a 4-2 setback at home versus the Penticton Vees.
The Bucks, winless in three games heading into Friday’s tilt with Penticton, appeared to have things going their way in the early goings of the first period. The home team held the early edge in play, and were rewarded with a Noah Urness power play goal to take a 1-0 lead at 7:02 in the first period. The defenses on both sides took over for the rest of the opening frame, with the Bucks leading 1-0 and holding a 7-6 shots advantage at the first intermission.
Cranbrook controlled the pace of the game through the second period, firing 14 shots on the Penticton goal. The Bucks added to their lead with a goal at 13:45 which was awarded to Donovan Frias, but appeared to be Jack Silich’s goal, either way – a 2-0 lead was intact for the Bucks. The Vees finally managed to find the net late in the middle frame via an Anselmo Rego breakaway, cutting Cranbrook’s lead to 2-1 at the forty minute mark.
Penticton found another gear in the third period, and changed the confection of the game with a quick flurry of goals near the halfway mark of the final frame. Goals came thirty seconds apart from Conyr Hellyer and Connor MacPherson to lift the Vees from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 lead. An empty net goal in the dying seconds from Thomas Pichette provided some insurance for Penticton, who emerged victorious with a 4-2 final.
Friday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 2-4-1, the Bucks are winless through their last four games. Cranbrook finished 1/4 on the power play and 2/2 on the penalty kill, Penticton won the shots battle 30-27.
The Bucks will get a chance to snap out of their current funk as they seek their first win on home ice this season Saturday night versus the Vernon Vipers.
Buck Tracks:
- 3 game goal streak for Noah Urness
- Danick Leroux stops 26 of 29 shots
