A win and a loss for the Cranbrook Bucks after splitting last weekend’s road trip to Alberta, by way of an 8-5 loss to the Sherwood Park Crusaders and a 2-1 overtime win versus the Okotoks Oilers.
The Crusaders got the jump on the Bucks in the first period Friday, taking a 3-1 lead by intermission thanks largely to Kale Dach’s two goal showing. The game essentially became out of reach for Cranbrook by the end of the second period after allowing another three goals. In the third period, the Bucks got a pair of goals from Patrick Murphy to complete his hattrick, but the Crusaders added another pair of goals to secure an 8-5 victory.
Cranbrook was outshot 32-31 Friday night. On special teams, the Bucks went 1/6 on the power play and 0/4 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks had designs of redemption Saturday in Okotoks in a game that played out much more closely.
The goalies did their part through the first forty minutes, keeping the game scoreless through two periods. The Oilers broke the deadlock early in the third period thanks to a tally from Kade Duell. The Bucks managed to pull back to within a tie thanks to a near-last minute goal from Patrick Murphy to make the score 1-1 and force overtime. In the extra frame, Rasmus Svartstrom managed to push his point streak to 12 games when he potted the game winning goal.
Saturday’s win lifts Cranbrook’s record to 29-19-2, they outshot the Oilers 26-25. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play went 0/4 and they finished 5/6 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks return home on the weekend for their final pair of regular season home games, starting Friday night versus the Penticton Vees.
Buck Tracks:
- Rasmus Svartstrom’s point streak moves to 12 games.
- 4 goals over the weekend for Patrick Murphy, including Friday’s hattrick.
- Congrats to Jacob Fletcher for reaching the 100 BCHL career games played milestone.
