The Kamloops Blazers are heading into Wednesday’s game on a losing streak for the first time this season.
Not our night tonight… We will turn the page and get ready to be home tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/EmPFHGq9jm
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 4, 2021
Starting on Saturday, Zach Ostapchuk, Ethan Semeniuk, built a 2-0 lead for the Giants as they went on to a 3-1 win over the Blazers.
Giants goaltender Jesper Vikman was the star of the game. He made 39 saves for the win. The Blazers outshot the Giants 40-29. This included a 13-6 edge in the first period.
Ostapchuk scored to open the scoring. His previous three goals were all against the Rockets. Semeniuk added some insurance at 4:50 of the third to build some insurance. Ethan Brandwood scored his fourth of the year at 14:51 of the third to cut the lead to 2-1. However, Peyton Mount scored his fifth of the year into the empty net to seal the win.
A great game tonight, didn’t get the result though. pic.twitter.com/I0KY0IigHu
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 5, 2021
The Blazers then headed home to play the Kelowna Rockets. The first home game after full restrictions was lifted. The Blazers got off to a quick start on a goal from Matthew Seminoff at the 1:18 mark. However, Colton Dach and Turner McMillan scored a pair of goals to lead the Rockets to a 4-3 win.
Good to see #BlazerNation back in full force after restrictions were removed for indoor gatherings. Good crowd tonight.
Blazers lead Kelowna 2-1 after 1st. Shots 12-10 KAM pic.twitter.com/SxnunbsL2e— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) December 5, 2021
The Blazers led 2-1 after the first period in a back and forth matchup. Connor Levis gave the Blazers the lead at the 11:55 mark. Dach’s first goal of the game at 3:59 tied the game.
In the second, the Rockets potted both goals; Dach started with a power-play goal at 12:28. Then Turner McMillan scored at the 15:37 mark to give the Rockets the lead.
We are in for a wild finish in Kamloops after Caedan Bankier tied things like THIS!@mnwild | @blazerhockey pic.twitter.com/ROCqyAPPcn
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 5, 2021
Caeden Bankler tied the game at 3-3 midway through the third. However, Turner McMillen potted the winner at the 15:30 mark to seal the win.
The Rockets also got two assists from Max Graham and Andrew Cristall. Crystal returned from his Challenge Cup experience in Ottawa last week. Ethan Brandwood had two assists for the Blazers. Brandwood had a goal and two assists this weekend.
Talyn Boyko made 33 saves for the win for the Rockets. Garland took the loss for the Blazers, making 29 saves.
The 17-4 Blazers still have a comfortable seven-point lead over the Vancouver Giants in the B.C. Division. They are still four points behind the Everett Silvertips, who is also on a two-game losing streak. The Blazers go into the CHL’s rankings as the number two ranked team.
The Blazers have a busy week ahead. They face the Vancouver Giants at the Sandman Centre. They have their annual Teddy Bear toss game on Friday against the Seattle Thunderbirds. They head to Prince George to face the Cougars on Saturday.
Tonight we are remembering Don Moores, Blazers President & COO. “It’s a great day to be a Blazer!” pic.twitter.com/6K5h7RQ3wF
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 5, 2021
On Saturday, the Blazers home game paid tribute to late President and COO Don Moores. Moores passed away suddenly on June 30 of this year. Moores was also an Assistant Coach from 1985 to 1990. He also was a Kamloops This Week Publisher and Black Press regional President. Moores also played his junior career with the Kamloops Chiefs from 1973-1976. He scored 68 goals 83 assists for 149 games in 148 games.
