The Cranbrook Bucks are looking to buck the Trail Smoke Eaters out of the playoffs as the two teams get set to meet for Game 1 of the BCHL playoffs.
Head coach Ryan Donald says they know the Smoke Eaters well and are excited to play their rival.
“They’re a team we’re certainly seen a lot of over our existence,” he said.
“It’s developed into a pretty good little rivalry. We’re excited to have the opportunity to play them here in the first round.”
The Bucks had a 2-4 record against Trail this season, but Donald says some of those games could have gone either way and believes it’s a good matchup.
“We’re 2-4 with them but we think our record could be better than that based on how we felt in a couple of those games,” he said.
“You get into the playoffs and it’s just a different beast. The game changes, it gets tighter, a little more physical and a little more emotion.”
Game 1 is set for Friday night in Trail. The Bucks will be back on home ice for Game 3 on Tuesday.
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