The Cranbrook Bucks are back in the win column after outlasting the Blackfalds Bulldogs for a 2-1 victory at home Friday night.
The first period was a feeling-out process, with neither squad pushing the envelope on offense. The Bucks outshot Blackfalds 10-6 in the opening frame and the score remained deadlocked at 0-0 by first intermission.
The defensive battle continued in the second period, but the Bucks did manage to find paydirt. The home team went up 1-0 thanks to a Kaslo Ferner goal at 6:08. Bladkfalds fired 15 shots on Bucks goalie Jaden Cholette, but he turned them all aside to preserve Cranbrook’s 1-0 lead into the third period.
The Bulldogs finally solved Cholette in the final frame. Blackfalds forward Joey Melo finished a passing play deep in the Cranbrook zone to draw his team into a 1-1 tie at the 8:07 mark. It seemed like overtime was a likely destination for both clubs, but a Sammy Hynes goal off a lucky bounce late in the game lifted his Bucks to a 2-1 lead. Cranbrook managed to fend off a late Blackfalds push, and skated away with a 2-1 victory.
Friday’s win lifts Cranbrook’s record to 4-1. On special teams, Cranbrook’s power play finished 0/2 and they went 3/3 on the penalty kill. Blackfalds outshot the Bucks 29-27.
The Bucks get a bit of time off ahead of their next game. Cranbrook is back in action Saturday night versus the Kings in Powell River.
Buck Tracks:
- Jaden Cholette stops 28 of 29 shots.
- Congrats to Sammy Hynes on scoring his first career BCHL goal.
