The Cranbrook Bucks had been struggling on the offensive side of things as of late, but that all went by the wayside in Saturday’s 6-2 win versus the West Kelowna Warriors.
A goal-filled packed plenty of action from start to finish as the two clubs combined for eight goals. Cranbrook’s list of goal-scorers included Jacob Fletcher, Blake Cotton, Julian Frias, Luke Pfoh and Evan Brown, the Warriors added goals from Michael Salandra, Callum Hughes and Brennan Nelson. The Bucks led 5-3 after twenty minutes.
The game slowed down considerably through the second period. West Kelowna chipped into Cranbrook’s lead with a power play goal from Isaiah Norlin at 1:01 to cut the road team’s lead to 5-4. At that time, Bucks goalie Carter Capton left the game following contact with another player, giving way for Danick Leroux to man the crease the rest of the way. Leroux and his Bucks were unblemished through the rest of the middle frame and held their 5-4 lead into the second intermission.
The two teams battled closely through the third period with the game on the line. Cranbrook added insurance with a late goal from Jaden Fodchuk to go up 6-4, which is how the game ended.
Saturday’s win bump’s Cranbrook’s record to 14-18-1, the Warriors outshot the Bucks 30-27. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play finished 2/5 and their penalty kill went 3/4.
The Bucks return to action Sunday afternoon to continue their road trip versus the Langley Rivermen.
Buck Tracks:
- Danick Leroux stops 16/16 in relief of Carter Capton.
- 2 pts for Blake Cotton (1g,1a).
