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Bucks fall 5-3 to Trail as coach emphasises process over results

Cranbrook, BC, Canada / 102.9 Rewind Radio - East Kootenay
Simone Joseph
Sep 26, 2026 | 10:32 PM
Bucks fall 5-3 to Trail as coach emphasises process over results

Bucks on the ice againist the Smoke Eaters at Western Financial Place on September 26, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)



The Bucks battled division rival Trail Smoke Eaters but fell 5-3 tonight (Sept. 26) at Western Financial Place.

Bucks forward Mitch Patrick opened the scoring nine minutes into the first period, assisted by Teo Pisani and Gryphon Watson-Bucci.

Cranbrook doubled its lead when forward Brayden Gourley beat the Smoke Eaters’ netminder off a pass from Cadel Gourlay, sending the Bucks into the second period with a two-goal lead.

Less than three minutes into the second period, Trail’s Roberts Polis put the Smoke Eaters on the board.

Four minutes later, Trail’s Brayden Rotach tied the game on the power play.

The Bucks answered on the power play when Watson-Bucci scored to restore Cranbrook’s lead.

With both teams serving offsetting penalties, Trail’s Dysen Drake scored to tie the game again.

Cranbrook went on the power play with seven seconds left in the period and carried the man advantage into the third.

Nine minutes into the third period, Trail’s Max Schaller scored to give the Smoke Eaters the lead.

Tim-Kristian Lukkarinen sealed the win for Trail with an empty-net goal.

Bucks on the ice againist the Smoke Eaters at Western Financial Place on September 26, 2026. (Photo Credit: Simone Joseph)

Bucks head coach Roshen Jaswal’s says the team can keep building on the team’s philosophy this year with a process-oriented mindset.

“I think we just got away from how we wanted to play. We need to play simple right now and a little more direct,” says Jaswal.

“I feel like we got away from that in the second and a couple weird goals. Yeah, just the way hockey goes sometimes. You get the three on one, one way and they go back the other way to break point score and that’s the game.”

“For us, we’re doing a lot of good things and we’re pretty banged up right now with injuries. It’s good to see the process and I think our guys just need to understand it’s process over results right now.”

Jaswal adds he was impressed with the hard work from the group, and they need to focus on discipline with the puck.

“I think when we were playing good, we were engaged, we were working hard, we were getting in on forechecks and making simple plays that were still smart plays,” he said.

“Just advancing the puck in the way that we want to. When we see that kind of stuff, it’s awesome. When we get away from that and do our own thing, then we struggle a little bit.”

Jaswal said the team will review game footage, reinforce the habits behind its strong play and identify areas to improve before Tuesday’s (Sept. 29) game.

The Bucks return to Western Financial Place to face the West Kelowna Warriors on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.

Purchase Bucks home tickets at cranbrookbucks.ca/tickets. 

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