The Cranbrook Bucks spoil the Wedding Crashers night after a 2-1 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors Saturday night.
The first period each team traded scoring chances but were unable to cash in. Warriors forward Chase Dafoe would be ejected from the game for a high hit on Bucks blue liner Quaid Anderson putting the Warriors in a tough position running only 10 forwards and 7 defenders for the remainder of the game.
The Bucks would score a pair in period two. First it was Kellan Hjartarson who would capitalize on a Justin Katz rebound to give the Bucks an early 1-0 lead. 5 minutes later the Bucks would score just as a Warriors penalty expired when Tyson Dyck would fire a wrist shot from the right side circle beating Katz extending the lead to 2-0. The Warriors would finally get on the board with 6 minutes remaining in the third when Elan Bar Lev Wise drove the net allowing Alexi Van Houtte Cachero to tap in the loose puck cutting the Bucks lead in half heading into the third.
The Bucks came out strong in the third forcing play in the Warriors zone for most of the third period. The Warriors would get a couple chances late but couldn’t cash in. Some controversy towards the end of the game where Tyler Cristall would be ejected from the game for “kicking” with a couple minutes remaining putting the Bucks on a powerplay for the remainder of the game. The Warriors best scoring chance came in the final minute with Tyson Jugnauth splitting the defenders but couldn’t beat Bucks goaltender Nathan Airey. The Bucks would survive the late push and win 2-1.
