The Cranbrook Bucks are back-to-back winners for the first time this season after Friday’s thrilling overtime win over the Penticton Vees.
The Bucks got their offence running early in the first period. A 2-on-1 rush resulted in a Cranbrook goal from Jack Silich just fifty-eight seconds into the game to put the Bucks in an early 1-0 lead. A Penticton flurry of shots on Danick Leroux failed to materialize a tying goal, and the Bucks were rewarded for weathering the storm with another goal from Noah Urness to go up 2-0. The Vees did cut Cranbrook’s lead to one goal via Larry Keenan’s second tally of the season, and the score was a 2-1 Bucks lead at first intermission.
Both defenses clamped down in the second period, the lone goal in the middle frame went to Cranbrook’s Julian Frias. This put the Bucks in a 3-1 lead to start the final frame.
Penticton began the third period with a power play tally from Ryan MacPhearson to dwindle Cranbrook’s lead to 3-2. As the game drew to the final minutes, the Vees pulled their goalie for an extra attacker and the gamble paid off. A well-placed shot from Vees defender Francesco Dell’Elce beat Leroux with just fifty-five seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game 3-3 and forcing overtime.
Cranbrook needed a hero in 3-on-3 overtime, and their captain was up to the task. Donovan Frias secured the win for the Bucks when he converted a Joseph Blackley rebound at 1:38, vaulting his club to a 4-3 overtime win to snap Penticton’s nine game winning streak.
Friday’s win bumps Cranbrook’s record to 5-11-1, they’ve won two games in a row – both in overtime. Penticton outshot the Bucks 36-31. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play finished 1/3 and their penalty kill went 1/2.
The Bucks return to action Sunday afternoon to face their Kootenay rivals, the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Buck Tracks:
- 1st home game for newcomers Evan Brown, Sam Belanger and Jordan Murray. 2 assists for Brown.
- 2 pts for Donovan Frias, 3 game point streak.
- 9th goal of the season for Noah Urness.
