The Cranbrook Bucks are hoping for a quick rebound after taking a 3-2 loss to the Okotoks Oilers Friday night in the first half of their home-and-home versus the Alberta club.
Cranbrook had a decisive edge in the pace of play through the first period, though the scoreboard didn’t necessarily reflect that. Okotoks opened the scoring early, a rebound goal from Kade Duell at 3:45 lifted the Oilers to a 1-0 lead. The Bucks managed to tie the game late in the frame thanks to a lucky bounce for Bryce Sookro. The clubs were tied 1-1 at intermission.
Second period action didn’t yield much in the way of offense. The only goal of the middle frame came from Oilers forward Brett Wilson, and Okotoks held a 2-1 lead after forty minutes.
The Bucks staged a push to open the third period. They were rewarded with a Jake Skogstad goal at 12:05 to pull into a 2-2 tie. It seemed overtime may be a likely outcome, but the Oilers were able to strike late. A goal from Hunter Sawka in the dying minutes put Okotoks up 3-2 after a lengthy video review. Cranbrook went with an empty goal to close the game but were not able to add any further offense, and the game ended in a 3-2 loss for the Bucks.
Friday’s defeat drops Cranbrook’s record to 8-3-0, the Bucks are on a two game losing streak. On special teams, Cranbrook went 0/5 on the power play and their penalty kill finished 4/4. The Bucks outshot Okotoks 45-30.
The Bucks will have a chance to exact revenge against the Oilers Saturday night in Alberta when the two teams close their home and home.
Buck Tracks:
- Congrats to Jake Skogstad on scoring his first career BCHL goal.