The Cranbrook Bucks are ready for some stiff competition this weekend in the form of the Interior Conference-leading Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The ‘Backs face the Bucks Friday night and Saturday night at Western Financial Place, it’s the first meeting between the two clubs since Cranbrook had a two-game sweep in Salmon Arm in November.
Cranbrook is returning to home ice after last weekend’s three game road trip to Wenatchee and West Kelowna, the Bucks dropped both games versus the Wild before ending the road odyssey with a 5-3 win over the Warriors Sunday.
Bucks coach Ryan Donald says it’s business as usual, though the defense will have their hands full with Silverbacks forward – and BCHL leading scorer, Simon Tassy.
“They’ve got a guy on their team that’s the top scorer in our league and somebody you’ve got to be aware of when he’s on the ice,” says Donald. “Our message doesn’t change in our room.”
Tassy, a Montreal native, has 27 goals and 26 assist for 53 points this season.
Cranbrook forward Tyson Dyck isn’t far behind Tassy at third in BCHL scoring with 46 points, 21 goals and 25 assists.
Another Buck who is on a role lately is forward Johnny Johnson, he has 5 points through his last 4 games.
Johnson credits his offensive surge as of late largely to his linemates Dyck and Liam Hansson.
“I’ve been on the power play with Liam Hansson all year, so we kind of have some chemistry from that,” Johnson says. “I haven’t really played much with Tyson [Dyck] this year, but just kind of found it pretty quick. Those guys are a huge part of my success.”
Puck drops at 7:00 pm at Western Financial Place Friday and Saturday.
– Ryan Donald – Head Coach/General Manager, Cranbrook Bucks
– Johnny Johnson – Forward, Cranbrook Bucks, #19
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