In the latest edition of the Kootenay rivalry, the Smoke Eaters led twice but the Bucks add two in the third and hold on late to pick up the win at Cominco on Saturday night.
The Smoke Eaters got a fantastic start to the game just 37 seconds in by scoring the opener. It came off the stick of Jordan Hendry from the right point who scored his third goal in his last 6 games, as his shot took a deflection off of the Bucks captain and down past Carter Capton in the Bucks net.
Cranbrook would answer with a powerplay goal for Jeremy Tremblay who once again found the score sheet against the Smoke Eaters. Tremblay was able to find the puck off the face off in the right circle and get a quick shot away to best Kendrick just under six minutes into the first, tying the game at 1.
The Bucks should give a strong push in the second period as Hjartarson had two breakaway chances being denied both times by Kendrick. Those two chances were among the many good looks that Cranbrook created in the middle frame but they found themselves down by one heading to the third thanks to a late powerplay goal by the Smoke Eaters. AP’s Kayden Clarke and Cale Colwell combined to draw the penalty. From the ensuing face off the Smoke Eaters would strike as Evan Bushy put a shot on net and got some help from Josh Schenk parked in front, being able to tip the puck back across to the left side of the net past Capton for a 2-1 lead.
The Bucks would find their equalizer through Blake Cotton who would get a shorthanded breakaway just as the penalty expired for the Bucks, as Cotton made the move to his left and was able to slid the puck past the outstretched pad of Kendrick. Cranbrook would then score their eventual winner three and half minutes later as Cooper Boulanger cut to the inside around the Smoke Eaters defenceman, across the crease and let a shot go from the left side of the Smoke Eaters net but find some room past the blocker of Kendrick. The Smoke Eaters would push, playing with the extra man for over two minutes but we’re unable to find the equalizer to force overtime. The Smoke Eaters will have to pick themselves up after putting a lot on the line Friday and overall playing a very good game but coming up just short. They’ll wrap up the season series on Saturday in Cranbrook.
