It took a little extra time to get there, but the Cranbrook Bucks have the early edge in their first round playoff series versus the Trail Smoke Eaters after winning game one 3-2 in overtime.
The two Kootenay rivals were somewhat tentative through the first period, with the Smokies holding a 7-5 shots edge. Cranbrook’s Jaden Cholette and Trail’s Teagan Kendrick held all shooters at bay, leaving the game at a 0-0 tie after twenty minutes.
The Smokies managed to gain a the upper hand in the second period. A power play goal from Jason Stefanek just shy of the fifteen minute barrier was quickly followed by a second Trail tally from Cade De St. Hubert to give the home team a 2-0 lead ahead of second intermission.
The Bucks needed a response, and just like the regular season, Rasmus Svartstrom was able to deliver a key third period goal at 5:36 to cut Trail’s lead to 2-1. With time beginning to factor in, the Bucks added a sense of urgency to their game. They were rewarded with a goal from Shane Baker off a scramble with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game 2-2. That late goal forced the game to overtime.
https://x.com/BCHockeyLeague/status/1908379184142917689
Trail controlled the pace of play in the early goings of the extra frame, but the Bucks began to find some time in the offensive zone as play continued. After mounting some sustained pressure, a scramble deep in the Trail zone yielded a shot from Sam Ranallo which grazed Shane Baker and slid into the Trail net, giving the Bucks a big 3-2 win to open the series.
Friday’s win gives the Bucks a 1-0 lead in their first round best-of-seven versus Trail, the Smokies outshot Cranbrook 25-24. On special teams, the Bucks went 0/1 on the power play and 3/4 on the penalty kill.
Game two goes Saturday night in Trail.
Buck Tracks:
- 23 save win for Jaden Cholette in his BCHL playoffs debut
- 2g for Baker, including OT-winner
- 18 game point streak for Rasmus Svartstrom (including regular season)
