The Cranbrook Bucks have reason to be optimistic after Friday’s 6-5 win over the West Kelowna Warriors.
The victory in game five of the first round reduces Cranbrook’s series deficit to 3-2, and they’ll have a chance to host game six with a chance to force the series to go the distance.
It appeared the Warriors were on their way to round two after leaving the first period with a 2-0 led thanks to goals from Johannes Lokkeberg and Jackson Kyrkostas.
The Bucks dominated through the second period, outscoring the Warriors 4-1 with goals from Bryce Sookro, Shane Baker and two from Jack Silich to give Cranbrook a 4-3 lead at intermission. Cranbrook outshot the Warriors 17-9 in the middle frame.
Both teams traded chances and goals in the third period. The Bucks took a 6-4 lead into the dying minutes and the Warriors began to push. A late goal from Trent Wilson cut Cranbrook’s lead to 6-5 which prompted a photo finish to the hockey game. It appeared the Warriors had the tying goal in the dying seconds, but they were fractions of a second past the final buzzer, and the Bucks escaped with a 6-5 win to force the series to game six.
Friday’s win puts the series at a 3-2 lead for West Kelowna, the Bucks outshot the Warriors 34-30. On special teams, the Bucks were 1/3 on the power play and 1/3 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks will try to tie the series on Sunday when they host the Warriors for game six.
Buck Tracks:
- 3 points for Jack Silich (2g,1a) and Sam Belanger (0g,3a).
