The Cranbrook Bucks gave one of the BCHL’s best all they could handle Friday night in a 4-3 loss to the Penticton Vees.
The Bucks got off to a good start through the first period. Goalie Jaden Cholette turned aside 11 Penticton shots while a Rasmus Svartstrom goal at 7:25 put them in a 1-0 lead. Cranbrook’s lead held steady through intermission.
Penticton’s shooters started to find the net in the second period. Vees goals from Casey Brown, Landon Wright and Conyr Hellyer quickly turned the game to Penticton’s favour, and put the road team up 3-1. The Bucks weren’t able to net a response and trailed 3-1 after forty minutes.
An early third period goal from Shane Baker lifted Cranbrook’s spirits, and cut the Vees lead to 3-2. However, a second goal from Penticton’s Hellyer lifted the Vees back to a two-goal lead at 4-2. Cranbrook continued to push, a last minute tally from Patrick Murphy put the Bucks back within one goal of Penticton. The Bucks went with an empty net but ran out of time, and settled for a 4-3 loss to the Penticton Vees.
Friday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 10-7-0, the Vees outshot the Bucks 31-26. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play went 1/4 while they finished 2/2 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks are back in action Saturday night on the road versus the Brooks Bandits.
Buck Tracks:
- 11th goal of the season for Rasmus Svartstrom.
- 1 assist for Bryce Sookro, leads team with 21 points.
