Bucks outlast Blackfalds 2-1 in Cranbrook

The Cranbrook Bucks survived a latae-game push from the Balkfalds Bulldogs to earn a 2-1 win at Western Financial Place on Friday, Oct. 4.

Sammy Hynes scored the game winner with just over six minutes left in the game, while Bucks goaltender Jaden Cholette turned aside 28 shots in net. 

Both teams held each other scoreless in the first frame, while the Bucks had a slight edge on the shot clock and unscuessfully converting on a few quality powerplay chances, despite getting some good looks.

Kaslo Ferner scored the opening goal of the game in the middle frame, beating Waylon Esche shortside top shelf on the rush.

Though the Bucks carried the lead into the third frame, Joey Melo knotted the affair back up to 1-1 just before the halfway mark.

Hynes broke the deadlock, getting a stick on a hard pass and popping the puck up and over the shoulder of Esche to put the Bucks ahead 2-1 near the end of the fame.

The Herd held on despite a late push from the Bulldogs, and nearly put the game away, missing the empty net by inches on one attempt and hitting a post on another. 

The Bucks are in fifth place in the Interior Conference with eight points, however, only two points separates them from the Brooks Bandits, which sit at the  top.

The Herd will get a break this week, but are on the road to face the Powell River Kings on Saturday, Oct. 12, before a brief stay in Abbotsford for the BCHL Showcase, where BCHL teams will converge on the city for five days of inter-league play.