A strong Penticton Vees team proved to be too much to handle for the Cranbrook Bucks Friday night.
The Bucks kept pace with the division-leading Vees through the first period, outshooting the home team 14-10. However, a late goal from Penticton captain Callum Arnott lifted the Vees to a 1-0 lead ahead of intermission.
Penticton added to their lead early in the middle frame via Arnott’s second tally of the night at 3:58 to go up 2-0. The Bucks found a response less than a minute later from Donovan Frias to cut Penticton’s lead to 2-1. The Vees continued to pile shots on the Cranbrook net through the second period, and they were rewarded with a power play goal in the latter stages from Zack Stringer. Penticton’s lead stood at 3-1 after forty minutes, they outshot Cranbrook 23-8 in the second period.
The Vees added two more goals in the third period, one from James Fisher, while Arnott completed his hattrick. The Bucks failed to gain any ground in the final frame, and finished with a 5-1 loss on the road.
Friday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 3-11-1. The Bucks are 0-2 on their current three game road trip, and they’re on a six game losing streak. Cranbrook was outshot 47-28, they finished 0/3 on the power play and their penalty kill went 4/6.
The Bucks finish their road trip Saturday in West Kelowna versus the Warriors.
Buck Tracks:
- 3 game point streak for Bryce Sookro (4 assists).