The final regular season edition of this year’s BCHL Kootenay rivalry has ended in the advantage of the Trail Smoke Eaters following Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Cranbrook Bucks.
The first period ended scoreless, with the Bucks holding a 9-8 edge in the shots count.
The two clubs swapped goals in the early goings of second period action. Trail went up 1-0 at 2:46 with a goal from Kailus Green, but the Bucks were able to pull even at 1-1 less than one-minute later thanks to a tally from Patrick Murphy. The Smokies managed to re-take their lead with a last-minute goal in the middle frame from Jason Stefanek to give Trail a 2-1 lead at intermission.
The Smokies put the game away with a trio of third period goals, while the Bucks were held off the scoresheet and settled for a 5-1 loss to Trail.
Sunday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 20-29-3, Trail outshot the Bucks 36-30 and both teams went 0/2 on the power play.
Cranbrook is back in action Thursday on the road versus the Merritt Centennials for their penultimate game of the regular season.
Buck Tracks:
- 20th start of the season for Bucks goalie Braedyn McIntosh.