The Bucks dug out of an early hole and never looked back. CB West’s Middle School Single A team opened its Suburban High School Hockey League season with a 7-3 win at Bensalem on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Grundy, rallying from 2-0 down and scoring the last five goals of the game.
This recap is brought to you by our sponsors: Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts, Plumsteadville Inn, and Gieseler Insurance. Thank you for supporting CB West hockey!
Cameron Thoreson led the way with a hat trick and an assist for a four-point night. Cade Droogan added two goals and an assist, and Brayden McCurnin scored twice, including the game-winner. All three scored their first goals of the season. In net, Brayden Franklin made 28 saves on 31 shots, and the Bucks won the game even though Bensalem outshot them 31-22.
First period
Bensalem struck twice late in the period to take a 2-0 lead. The Bucks answered right away. Droogan scored unassisted with 2:35 left to cut it to 2-1, and Thoreson tied it 2-2, also unassisted, with 36 seconds to go before the break.
Second period
Bensalem went back in front 3-2 midway through the period, but the Bucks flipped the game in under a minute. Thoreson tied it 3-3 with 4:53 left, and just 52 seconds later McCurnin put West ahead for good at 4-3 with 4:01 remaining.
Third period
West pulled away. McCurnin scored his second of the night about eight minutes in, from Thoreson, for a 5-3 lead. Droogan made it 6-3 with 5:48 left, and Thoreson capped his hat trick at the final horn, set up by Droogan, for the 7-3 final. The Bucks scored in every period and held Bensalem scoreless in the third.
Standings and stakes
At 1-0-0, CB West is one of three unbeaten teams in the SHSHL Middle School Single A division and sits second in the standings on the goal differential tiebreaker. That sets up a big one this week.
Next up
The Bucks are home on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:20 PM against CB South at Hatfield Ice on the Green rink. The Titans are also 1-0-0 and sit first in the division, so it is a matchup of unbeaten teams.
Come out and see your Bucks take on the Titans Friday night. Go Bucks!
Box score
Final: CB West 7, Bensalem 3 (Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, Grundy, Rink A). CB West was the visiting team.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB West | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Bensalem | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
CB West goals
Clock shows time remaining in the period.
- 1st, 2:35: Cade Droogan, unassisted (1-2)
- 1st, 0:36: Cameron Thoreson, unassisted (ties it 2-2)
- 2nd, 4:53: Cameron Thoreson, unassisted (ties it 3-3)
- 2nd, 4:01: Brayden McCurnin, unassisted (4-3, game-winner)
- 3rd, 11:45: Brayden McCurnin, assist Cameron Thoreson (5-3)
- 3rd, 5:48: Cade Droogan, unassisted (6-3)
- 3rd, 0:00: Cameron Thoreson, assist Cade Droogan (7-3, hat trick)
Bensalem goals
- 1st, 4:27 (0-1)
- 1st, 3:13 (0-2)
- 2nd, 7:37 (2-3)
Shots: Bensalem 31 (9, 14, 8), CB West 22 (6, 8, 8)
Goalies: Brayden Franklin (CB West) 28 saves on 31 shots. Bensalem’s two goalies combined for 15 saves on 22 shots.
Record: CB West 1-0-0.
