The Prince George Cougars visited the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night in a battle of teams that will miss the playoffs. This was the final home game for Kamloops this season as they looked for their 3oth win.
Jermaine Loewen would open the scoring for the second straight game for the Blazers. The Cougars Connor Bowie had taken a hooking penalty moments earlier and on the power play Quinn Benjafield would rush up the ice and find Loewen out front. Four minutes later, with Ryley Appelt in the penalty box for high sticking, Max Kryski would tie the game on a bouncing puck that seemed to hit every player in front of the net before making its way in. Kryski was two thirds of the way to a Gordie Howe hat-trick less than ten minutes into the game. Playing four-on-four, Rhett Rhinehart notched his third of the season on a pass from Jared Bethune midway through the first to put the Cougars up 2 – 1. Play would be stopped with 6:50 remaining in the period for what the home crowd thought to be a too many men penalty on the Cougars. However, Prince George goaltender Isaiah DiLaura had lost his skate blade. Taylor Gauthier would replace DiLaura for 80 seconds of play, making one save in that time. DiLaura would return to the game with the skate fixed and 5:30 left in the frame. Kryski would net his second of the game shortly after that to put Prince George up by two.
Just over nine minutes into the second Austin Crossley would extend the Cougar lead with a beautiful shot high glove side on Dylan Ferguson. Kamloops dominated the second half of the period but were unable to solve DiLaura. DiLaura would make 18 saves in the period, including stretching out the glove arm on the ice to rob Connor Zary of a sure goal.
Prince George would give Kamloops plenty of opportunities to get back in the game by taking four straight penalties through the second and third periods. The Blazers though would be unable to add another power play goal on the night. Zary would solve DiLaura one more time with 9:50 remaining in the game to cut the lead to two. The Prince George goaltender would finish the night with 51 saves on 53 shots, raising his save percentage 13 points.
These teams will finish off the season tomorrow night in Prince George. This will be the final WHL game for Blazers Joe Gatenby, Nick Chyzowski, and Brady Reagan, as well as for Cougars Jared Bethune, Aaron Boyd, and Brogan O’Brien.
Prior to the game the Kamloops Blazers handed out their yearly awards.
Most Improved Player: Nolan Kneen
Diamond in the Rough: Connor Zary
Top Defenseman: Joe Gatenby
Most Dedicated Player: Jermaine Loewen
Community Involvement: Luc Smith
Grinder of the Year: Nick Chyzowski
Excellence in Hockey & Education: Ryley Appelt
Rookie of the Year: Brodi Stuart
Unsung Hero(s): Jackson Shepard & Brady Reagan
Leadership & Ability: Jermaine Loewen
Plus/Minus Award: Joe Gatenby (+16)
Three Star Award: Dylan Ferguson
MVP: Jermaine Loewen
Top Scorer: *not awarded as Jermaine Loewen held a three point lead over Joe Gatenby going into tonight’s game. Loewen had 1G 1A while Gatenby was held without a point.