The predictions of a hard-nosed, highly competitive, grind-it-out playoff series between the Smokies and Bucks were bang on in game one at Cominco Arena.
For the second time this season, Cranbrook battled back from a two-goal, third period deficit to win in Trail.
Patrick Murphy’s deflection of a pass into the crease during a goal-mouth scramble 8:10 into overtime gave the visitors the 3-2 win.
The teams were defensively sound through a sometimes nervous first period which only generated a total of 12 shots but Smokies goalie Teagan Kendrick made a sensational save on a centering pass that deflected off team mate Jason Stefanek.
The Smokies appeared to take the lead at the midway point.
Evan Sundar was bumped into goaltender Jaden Cholette who ventured well out of the net to play a loose puck and Ridge Dawson snapped it into a wide open net.
The goal was waved off immediately, then reviewed, and the officials determined it was no-goal because of incidental contact on Cholette.
Stefanek broke the ice, scoring the game’s first goal just shy of the 15-minute mark of the second period.
The Californian’s seeing eye snap shot from the point on the power play, snuck past a screened Jaden Cholette and into the far corner.
The Smokies opened a 2-0 lead about two-and-a-half minutes later.
Josh Evaschesen stole the puck at the Bucks blueline, cruised down the left-wing and fed a wide-open Cade De St. Hubert who hit the top corner.
The Bucks only generated five shots on goal in the second period, but Kendrick was called upon to make a big save on Shane Baker who streaked down the left-wing and through the crease as the Trail puck stopper tracked the play perfectly across the net.
The Bucks comeback started about five minutes into the third period.
The BCHL’s leading regular season goal scorer Rasmus Svartström powered through the crease and backhanded his own rebound into the top corner.
The tying goal came with just under three minutes left in regulation.
Baker deflected a point-shot from Nic Leggett that hit just inside the post, forcing the game to overtime.
Murphy’s winning goal was discussed at length by all four on ice officials before it was confirmed.
The Smokies outshot the Bucks 25-24, while going 1-for-4 on the power play and killed off Cranbrook’s lone manpower advantage.
Game two is tonight, with the opening faceoff at Cominco Arena set for 7 o’clock. You can listen to the game on Mixlr or watch on FloHockey. Good seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
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