The Kamloops Blazers lost their first game of the season earlier this weekend. However, they also got their first shutout of the season in the second game of their weekend. The team now leads the BC Division by six points over the Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants, teams they played over the weekend.
📽️ WHL Highlights – October 15, 2021
🏒 @blazerhockey (2) at @Kelowna_Rockets (4)
A pair of goals for @NHLBlackhawks prospect Colton Dach in Kelowna's home opener.
📰 | https://t.co/DbRXJVmOye pic.twitter.com/yXPE1mkup8
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 16, 2021
On Friday, newly acquired Kelowna Rockets forward Colton Dach scored twice and Max Graham scored with less than eight minutes to go in the game as the Rockets beat the Blazers 4-2 in the Rockets home opener.
The Rockets played their first home game in front of fans since Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Prospera Place was half full due to current health restrictions but was considered a sell-out due to selling every available ticket.
Kelowna jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Colton Dach’s first of two goals in the game. His was the only goal of the first period.
Max Graham scored 36 seconds into the second period. However, the Blazers fought back to tie the game early in the third. Josh Pillar got his third goal of the season and Victor Persson scored his first WHL goal. However, Dach, who was dangerous all night, scored the goal to put the Rockets ahead for good at the 12:13 mark of the third period. Elias Carmichael added an empty netter.
Kelowna Rockets goaltender Colby Knight made 29 saves in the win. Dylan Garand made 23 saves on 26 shots in the loss.
🎥 WHL Highlights – October 16, 2021
🏒 @blazerhockey (5) at @WHLGiants (0)@NYRangers prospect Dylan Garand turned aside 23 shots to backstop the Blazers to a shutout win over the Giants.
📰 | https://t.co/YndtJJCb0z pic.twitter.com/4MISoU4yhg
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 17, 2021
Garand had a better night in Langley on Saturday. With the help of goals from Logan Stankoven, Mats Lindgren, and Cedar Bankler in the first period, the Blazers were off to the races with a big 3-0 lead.
Garand shut out the Vancouver Giants making 23 saves.
The Blazers’ power play was clicking as they went 3-for-7 the man advantage. Nick McCarry and Darren Sydor added goals in the third period. Josh Pillar had two assists.
There is a four-way tie for first place among Blazers players for the scoring lead. Caeden Bankier has six goals and three assists through six games along with Josh Pilar and Logan Stankoven each having three goals and six assists. Rookie Dylan Sidor has two goals and five assists. Defenseman Mats Lindgren is not far behind with one goal and five assists.
With the split this weekend, the Blazers are now 5-1-0-0 and in first place in the B.C.Division. They host the Vancouver Giants next Friday.
