The Cranbrook Bucks were in fine form Friday night to open their second round series, but the Penticton Vees were able to keep the Kootenay club at bay for a 3-1 win in game one to take a 1-0 series lead.
The Bucks and Vees traded several first period chances. Penticton benefited from a friendly bounce near the eight minute mark when a wayward puck hit a Cranbrook skater and bounced in the goal to break the scoring, the goal was credited to Simon Meier and the Vees held a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, the Bucks came close to tying the game on a Matt Gilmore shot from a 2-on-1 rush, but Penticton’s Will Ingemann went post-to-post to make one of the finer saves of the BCHL playoffs so far to keep his team ahead. The score remained a 1-0 Penticton lead at intermission.
The Vees boosted their lead just past the five-minute mark of the second period. A power play point blast from Caton Ryan found its way through the Bucks cage to lift the Vees to a 2-0 advantage. Cranbrook netted a response in the latter stages of the middle frame. A Rasmus Svartstrom rebound was directed into the yawning cage to cut Penticton’s lead to 2-1 ahead of the buzzer.
Third period action started with a quick goal for the home team. Penticton’s Louie Wehmann tallied at 1:46 to extend the Vees’ lead to 3-1. The Bucks managed only six shots in the final frame, and failed to gain any ground on the scoreboard, settling for a 3-1 setback in game one.
Friday’s loss puts the Bucks at a 1-0 series deficit, they were outshot 29-21 in game one. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play went 0/2 and they finished 2/3 on the penalty kill.
The Bucks will set their sights on splitting the weekend with game two set for Saturday night in Penticton.
Buck Tracks:
- Rasmus Svartstrom nets lone goal.
- 26 saves for Jaden Cholette
