The Cranbrook Bucks are back in the win column thanks to a convincing 5-2 victory Saturday versus the Trail Smoke Eaters.
The Bucks got on the board within the opening six minutes of the first period, Patrick Murphy had the tally at 5:49 to give his Bucks a 1-0 lead. Trail outshot Cranbrook 8-6 through the opening frame.
The two teams went back and forth in the second period. Cranbrook doubled their lead thanks to a goal from Nic Leggett at 8:47. Trail responded a few minutes later with a tally from Chase Stefanek to cut Cranbrook’s lead to 2-1. Bucks captain Donovan Frias added another goal in the late stages of the middle frame to put Cranbrook in a 3-1 lead at intermission.
The Bucks put the game away in the third period with an early goal from Jaden Fodchuk followed by Murphy’s second goal of the game. Trail added one more late goal from Adam Barone, but it was not enough to mount a comeback and the Bucks secured a 5-2 victory to put an end to their five game winless streak.
Saturday’s win lifts Cranbrook’s record to 20-27-3, the Bucks outshot Trail 31-29. On special teams, Cranbrook finished 0/2 on the power play and 4/5 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks return to action for their final home game of the regular season on March 23 versus the West Kelowna Warriors.
Buck Tracks:
- 3 points for Patrick Murphy (2g,1a) and Noah Urness (0g,3a)
- 100th BCHL game for Blake Cotton
- 1st career BCHL goal for Nic Leggett
