B.C. Division

Blazers Weekend Wrap Up: Home and Home Sweep over The Giants. Iginla Goes to HOF.

Written by Kevin Olenick on

The Kamloops Blazers bounced from a challenging game in Kelowna this weekend with two wins versus the Giants.

On Friday at the Sandman Centre, the Blazers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Then they put in four goals in the third to build to a 6-1 win over the Giants.

Dylan Sydor and Daylan Kuefler scored in the first, while Connor Levis and Josh Pillar added powerplay goals in the third. Kuefler added his second of the game, and Matthew Seminoff finished off the scoring late in the third.

Blazers goaltender Dylan Garand was 42 seconds away from a shutout. However. Alex Cotton scored for the Giants to break the shutout.

The Blazers were an impressive two for six on the powerplay. They also outshot the Giants 42-16. Jesper Vikman took the loss for the Giants. He made 36 saves in a losing effort.

On Saturday, the teams headed to the Langley Events Centre for a rematch. Fabian Lysell opened the scoring at 2:35 in the first period. However, Ethan Brandwood and Logan Stankoven scored in the second to lead Kamloops to a 2-1 victory.

The Giants had several opportunities to win the game; however, they were zero for seven on the powerplay. This included a late double minor to Quinn Schmiemann for roughing. In addition to getting both of their goals in the second period, the Rockets outshot the Giants 13-2 in the second period.

Dylan Garland continues to make a case for being the starting goaltender for Canada’s World Junior Team. He made 23 saves for the win. In 13 games this season, Garand is 11-2 with a 1.86 GAA. His shutout on Friday was his second of the season.

Not only are the Blazers setting the pace in the B.C. Division. They are setting the pace in the Western Conference. They are 13-2 for 26 points. They are three points ahead of the Everett Silvertips. Nine points ahead of the Kelowna Rockets.

Monday night was a significant and memorable night for the Blazers as co-owner, and Blazers legend Jerome Iginla was finally inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Iginla spent three seasons with the Blazers. He scored 132 goals, 134 assists for 268 points in 183 regular seasons. In 56 playoff games, Iginla scored 26 goals, 30 assists for 56 points and helped lead the Blazer to two WHL Championships and two Memorial Cups.

Iginla was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Stars. He was then traded to the Calgary Flames as part of the Joe Nieuwendyk trade. He played 17 seasons with the Flames but was then traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 27, 2013. He also played with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. Lastly, he won two Gold Medals for the Canadian Olympic Team. He will be remembered as the guy who passed Sidney Crosby the puck in overtime that led to Canada scoring and winning Gold on home ice in 2010.

The Blazers will be back in action on Friday against the Victoria Royals. Then they are onto Seattle to play the Thunderbirds on Saturday.