West Kelowna squander late lead in loss to visiting Bucks

Photo: Wayne Moore

The Cranbrook Bucks scored four times over the last eight-and-a-half minutes Sunday, three in a two-minute span in a dramatic come-from-behind 5-3 upset of the West Kelowna Warriors.

Trailing 3-2 in the dying moments, Liam Hansson fanned on a shot from the top of the left circle. He got enough on to allow Tyson Dyck to tip home his second of the game to tie it with less than two-and-a-half minutes to go.

Carrying all the momentum, Johnny Johnson banged home the winner with 62 seconds left in regulation.

The Warriors were unable to mount any sustained pressure with Justin Katz on the ice for an extra attacker. And, with time running out, the Bucks created a turnover in their own end before Noah Quinn powered the puck into the empty net.

"I thought we played a good game, we played hard, battled through adversity,"said a dejected head coach Simon Ferguson.

"When your best players are on the ice, you got to expect them to get it done."

On Sunday, they didn't.

The Warriors rode a hot power play in building a 2-0 lead in the first.

Chase Dafoe opened the scoring with the man advantage five minutes in, banging home his own rebound during scramble in front of Nathan Airey.

Dafoe was instrumental in the 2-0 goal four minutes later. His shot from the slot deflected off a Cranbrook stick right to Cameron Hicklin who buried his first of the season from the bottom of the left circle.

Hicklin was the last player on the roster to register a goal this season.

The Bucks got one back on a power play of their own midway through the second, then had a great chance to get the equalizer seconds later when Riley Sharun was sent off for four minutes.

But, the Warriors penalty killers kept the Bucks at bay.

Tyler Cristall gave the Warriors a two-goal cushion midway through the third. Seconds after a Cranbrook penalty expired, Tyson Jugnauth's wrist shot caromed off the end glass right to Cristall, who beat Airey from a sharp angle.

The Bucks got that one back minutes later, then killed off a key minor to give them a chance at the late comeback.

The Warriors finished two for four with the man advantage, while the Bucks scored just once on their six opportunities.

Cranbrook outshot the Warriors 27-23, including 9-4 during the decisive final period.

The Warriors are now off until Saturday when they host the Trail Smoke Eaters for Pastor Don's annual Faith Night.