Both Ward brothers score, Cents win 3-2 in OT

The Cranbrook Bucks made their first ever visit to the NVMA on Sunday afternoon, riding a five game win streak. It didn’t take long for the Bucks to find the back of the net with AJ Vasko finding the rebound of a weak point shot to open the scoring.

The Bucks would pour on the pressure following their goal but Merritt would hold the line. Shortly after, Ben Ward would draw a penalty and on the ensuing powerplay younger brother Sam Ward would snipe top corner to level the score 1-1.

The first was a low shot affair with Cranbrook leading on the shot clock 8-4 after 20 minutes.

Early in the second period, Cranbrook would keep the pressure on following a failed powerplay attempt, Hayden Gelbard would beat Phillips-Watts to give the Bucks a 2-1 lead.

Merritt would only level 4 shots on goal for the second period in a row, but thanks to a solid defensive effort, would only trail 2-1 entering the final 20.

PW stopped 18/20 through two.

Merritt would be the stronger team in the third, and after Ben Ward drew another penalty, Connor Farren grabbed a blocked shot and fired past Nathan Airey to level the score 2-2.

Sixty minutes wouldn’t be enough and the game headed to overtime where once again Ben Ward played hero, sniping top corner to win.

Head Coach Curtis Toneff picking up his first career BCHL win.

PW earned first star honours stopping 33/35 in the victory.