The Cranbrook Bucks returned from the BCHL Showcase in Nisku, Alta., with a win and a loss after dropping an overtime decision to their Kootenay rivals ahead of the tournament.
Cranbrook opened its weekend with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday, Oct. 9, before defeating the Coquitlam Express 2-1 on Sunday and falling 5-3 to the Powell River Kings on Monday.
Trail Smoke Eaters 4, Cranbrook Bucks 3 (OT)
The Bucks came close to defeating their Kootenay rivals Friday but surrendered the winning goal just 1:34 into overtime.
Trail opened the scoring in the first period on a power-play goal from Erik Larson before Cranbrook responded with two goals in the second.
Mykola Kosarev tied the game early in the period, while Mitch Patrick scored on the power play to give the Bucks a 2-1 lead.
The Smoke Eaters answered with two goals in the third period from Aleksandr Andriyashev and Brayden Rotach.
Teo Pisani tied the game 3-3 midway through the third, forcing overtime.
Daniel Rassega scored the winner for Trail, while Bucks goaltender Keegan Carswell stopped 26 of 30 shots.
Cranbrook Bucks 2, Coquitlam Express 1
The Bucks bounced back Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the Coquitlam Express in their opening game of the BCHL Showcase.
After a scoreless first period, Coquitlam’s Nishaan Parmar opened the scoring three minutes into the second.
Kosarev responded for Cranbrook at 12:58 before Konnor Bissell scored the eventual game-winner less than two minutes later, with assists from Nathan Simm and Jack McMinn.
The Bucks held Coquitlam scoreless in the third period to secure the victory.
Carswell made 20 saves on 21 shots, while Cranbrook outshot the Express 32-21.
Powell River Kings 5, Cranbrook Bucks 3
Cranbrook’s Showcase ended Monday with a 5-3 loss to the Powell River Kings.
Powell River took control early, scoring twice in the opening minute before adding another goal late in the first period to build a 3-0 lead.
Nathan Simm put the Bucks on the board with a power-play goal late in the second period.
Pisani cut the deficit to one goal early in the third, but Grady Schaefer restored Powell River’s two-goal advantage.
Matthew Gilmore brought Cranbrook back within one with just over two minutes remaining before Tuukka Heiskanen completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal.
Heiskanen led Powell River with three goals, while Carswell made 27 saves on 31 shots for the Bucks.
Cranbrook finished the Showcase with a 1-1 record, scoring five goals and allowing six across its two games.
Including Friday’s overtime loss to Trail, the Bucks finished the three-game stretch with one win, one regulation loss and one overtime loss.
The Cranbrook Bucks return to home ice Friday, Oct. 16, when they host the Chilliwack Chiefs at Western Financial Place.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m..
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