The Cranbrook Bucks came close Wednesday, but ultimately fell short in a 5-3 loss to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at the BCHL Showcase in Seattle.
Alberni Valley held the edge through first period action, they outshot the Bucks 19-5 through the first twenty minutes. The Bulldogs were able to build a 2-0 lead by intermission with goals from Jacob Terpstra and Mason Croucher.
The Bucks found a new gear in second period action, and they were able to catch up with the Bulldogs. Goals from Bucks forwards Jaden Fodchuk and Jack Silich vaulted Cranbrook into a 2-2 tie for second intermission.
In the third period, an early goal from Brady McIsaac put the Bulldogs back up by one goal at 3-2, the Bucks netted a response from Blake Cotton to tie the game 3-3 just past the ten-minute barrier. Alberni Valley was vastly outshot through the second and third periods, but they still managed to find the net as the final frame carried on. Zeke Nicholson tallied at 13:52 to lift his Bulldogs to a 4-3 lead. The Bucks went with an empty net in the dying seconds to try to force overtime with an extra attacker, but the Bulldogs were able to capitalize with a late empty net goal from Cole Bishop to secure the 5-3 win.
Wednesday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 3-8-1, they’re on a three-game losing streak. The Bucks outshot Alberni Valley 34-30, their power play finished 1/4 while they went 2/2 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks are heading back north of the border for a home game on Saturday versus the West Kelowna Warriors.
Buck Tracks:
- 100th career BCHL game for Luke Pfoh.
- 1st goal of the season for Jaden Fodchuk.
- 2 game goal streak for Jack Silich.
