For the first time in franchise history, the Cranbrook Bucks are heading into an elimination game in the BCHL with destiny in their hands. This after Friday’s 4-2 win over the Smoke Eaters for game five in Trail.
First period action was a much more defensive effort than what the two teams put up through game four Wednesday. Trail outshot the Bucks 11-5 through twenty minutes, but the game remained scoreless at intermission.
Trail was able to break the deadlock near the midway mark of the second period. Smokies forward Jason Stefanek finished a passing play deep in Bucks territory to put Trail up 1-0 at 8:52. However, a quick Cranbrook response from Rasmus Svartstrom at 9:19 vaulted the game back to a 1-1 tie. With pressure mounting, the Bucks snagged their first lead of the game at 14:21 when veteran defenceman Sam Belanger netted his first of the playoffs. Cranbrook was in good shape heading into the second intermission, with a 2-1 lead to work with.
A Cranbrook goal just nineteen seconds into the third period lifted the Bucks lead to 3-1, by way of a Belanger point blast. Trail, down a pair of goals, managed to sneak back into the game thanks to a short-handed tally from Dylan Lariviere to cut Cranbrook’s lead to 3-2 with over six minutes remaining in regulation. The Bucks did not bend, and eventually iced the game thanks to an empty net goal in the dying seconds from Rasmus Svartstrom to secure a 4-2 win for Cranbrook to shift the tide of their first round series.
Friday’s win gives the Bucks a 3-2 lead in their first round series, they were outshot 31-29. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play went 0/1 and they finished 4/4 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks have a chance to claim the series on home ice Sunday when they host Trail for game six.
Buck Tracks:
- 2 goals each for Rasmus Svartstrom and Sam Belanger.
- 29 saves for Jaden Cholette
