The Cranbrook Bucks' playoff run ended with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Penticton Vees after a 5-2 loss in Game 4 on Thursday, April 24.
Penticton will go to the BCHL Interior Conference final, where it will play the Brooks Bandits.
The Herd battled to the end, but the Vees were inevitable as they took the lead in Game 4 and didn't trail on the scoreboard for the entirety of the contest.
Luke Posthumus opened the scoring early in the first period, but Jordan Murray tied it up for the Bucks 21 seconds later to make it 1-1 after the opening period.
Both teams kept it close in the middle frame, however, Penticton scored two quick goals within a few minutes remaining, on efforts from Callum Stone and
Caton Ryan.
Max Heise added to Pentciton's lead on the power play in the third period for a three-goal lead, but Grant Denuccio replied for the Bucks to keep The Herd within striking distance.
However, with 19 seconds left, Max Heise hit the empty net to put the game away for the Vees.
Bucks goaltender Jaden Cholette made 33 saves in net, while Ethan Buenaventura turned aside 23 shots for the Vees.
In Game 3 on Wednesday, April 23, The Herd dropped a 5-3 decision that put them on the brink of elimination.
The Bucks kept it a close game for much of the night, however, the Vees took a late lead in the second period and rode it to the win.
Simon Meier and Oscar Pantzare both scored just over two minutes apart in the first period to give Penticton the lead.
The Bucks struck back in the middle frame, as Blake Cotton got The Herd on the board, while Shane Baker made a nifty tip to even up the affair.
Tied up for roughly a minute, Tristan Petersen broke the deadlock to put the Vees back in the lead late in the frame.
Luke Posthumus gave Penticton a two-goal lead early in the third period, but Samuel Lyne responded for the Bucks.
While the Bucks looked for the equalizer with the extra attacker in the final minute of the game, Vees forward Georgios Stavrianeas was awarded a goal after an errant stick was thrown trying to prevent an empty net goal.
