A Cranbrook Bucks comeback bid in the third period Tuesday night fell short in a 6-4 loss versus the Trail Smoke Eaters, in a game which was not without controversy.
The Smokies got started early on New Years Eve with a goal from Evan Sundar to make it a 1-0 score just two minutes into the first period. The Bucks tied the game briefly with a tally from Blake Cotton, his first of the night, to make it 1-1. Trail was able to quickly break the tie and added another with goals coming from Cade De St. Hubert and Jason Stefanek. Cranbrook came back one closer late in the frame via Cotton’s second goal of the night, and left at a 3-2 deficit for intermission.
Second period action heated up near the midway mark with a big goal from Rasmus Svartstrom to lift his Bucks to a 3-3 tie. Trail once again took the lead about a minute later with a Cash Carter goal off a scramble in the Cranbrook zone to go up 4-3.
Trail added to their lead at the five-minute mark of the third period. Judah Makway converted on a rush to go up 5-3, putting the Bucks on the ropes. That signaled a push from the Bucks, Blake Cotton pulled his team back to within one, while completing his hattrick, to make the score 5-4. The Bucks appeared to have the game tied late in the final frame with a Jacob Fletcher goal, but a lengthy discussion among the officials ruled the play was offside and what would have been the tying goal was waived off. The Smokies were able to fend off Cranbrook through the final minute, and added an empty net goal from Jack Ziliotto to secure a 6-4 victory.
Tuesday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 16-12-1, the Bucks outshot Trail 44-35. On special teams, the Bucks finished 2/4 on the power play and 2/2 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks return to action Friday night when they host the Brooks Bandits in the opening half of a weekend home-and-home.
Buck Tracks:
- 3 goals for Blake Cotton
- BCHL debut for Grant Dennucio
- 2 assists for Patrick Murphy in return to lineup
