A season to remember for the Cranbrook Bucks has come to an end.
Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Penticton Vees in game four signaled an end to Cranbrook’s playoff round following the franchise’s first appearance in the second round.
Like the past three games, the Bucks and Vees battled closely through the first period. Penticton opened the scoring at 7:12 with a goal from Luke Posthumus. Cranbrook’s response was almost immediate, with Jordan Murray finding the twine at 7:33 to tie the game 1-1. The deadlock remained intact through intermission.
Penticton started to build a bit of a gap late in the second period. They got started early with a point blast from Cal Stone at 18:09. Seconds later, Caton Ryan tallied at 18:43 to boost the Vees to a 3-1 lead at the forty minute mark.
The Vees essentially put the game out of reach with an early goal in the third period from Max Heise at 3:08. The Bucks got one back near the halfway mark on a shot from near the boards from Grant Denuccio to cut their deficit to 4-2. However, the Vees clamped down in their zone the rest of the way and Cranbrook was having issues creating sustained pressure. A late empty net goal from Penticton’s Heise secured a 5-2 win, clinching a four-game sweep to claim the series.
Thursday’s loss puts an end to the 2024-25 Cranbrook Bucks season, the Penticton Vees will face the Brooks Bandits in the Interior Conference finals.
Buck Tracks:
- First BCHL playoff goals for Jordan Murray & Grant Denuccio.
- Thank you to our amazing fans for your support through the season and playoffs. We love our Herd!
