The Cranbrook Bucks ran out of momentum Saturday night in a 5-1 loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters, evening up their first round playoff series 1-1.
Game two started well enough for the Bucks with an early first period goal from Rasmus Svartstrom at 2:12 to take a 1-0 lead. Trail managed to net a response at 7:57 thanks to a tally from Brayden Sinclair to bring the game to a 1-1 tie. The deadlock remained in place through first intermission.
Trail began to build a gap in the second period. A late goal from veteran defenseman Jack Kennedy lifted Trail to a 2-1 lead at 16:14. The Bucks found themselves down and looking up after forty minutes.
The two clubs matched evenly through the first half of the third period, but three more goals in the latter half from Trail put the game away. Evan Sundar, Zach Cotou and Dylan Lariviere found paydirt in the final frame to secure a 5-1 win for the Smokies.
Cranbrook’s loss in game two leaves the series deadlocked at 1-1, Trail outshot the Bucks 33-27 Saturday night. On special teams, the Bucks and Smokies both went 0/2 on the power play.
The series shifts to Cranbrook for game three Tuesday night.
Buck Tracks:
- Rasmus Svartstrom extends point streak to 19 games (including regular season).
