In a game that included five of the league’s top-12 point leaders, special teams, depth and goaltending stole the show in a 4-2 win for the Blazers.
Max Martin put the home team on the board first after receiving a nifty pass from Connor Zary on the man-advantage. Spokane’s Filip Kral then responded with a powerplay goal of his own just 2:11 later, tying the score heading into the first intermission.
Each team traded multiple scoring chances in the second frame. With Spokane’s Noah King serving a penalty, the Blazers coughed up the puck while exiting their own zone, creating a short-handed breakaway for Jack Finley who couldn’t beat the right pad of Dylan Garand. The diving stop was the first of two saves by the 17-year old that left an impression on Blazers’ bench boss Shaun Clouston.
“That’s huge, I mean it’s a tie ball game if he doesn’t come up with those saves. He’s extremely focused; he’s as committed and focused of a player as I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
Garand’s attention to detail has earned the trust of his staff and fellow players but he isn’t the only sophomore being leaned on by Clouston and company.
Brodi Stuart’s second-period goal was served on a silver platter by Josh Pillar who drew the initial penalty before finding his linemate wide open in the slot. Despite shuffling the lineup throughout the season, Clouston is having a hard time keeping the two players separated for an extended period of time.
“He’s moved from center to wing; he was mostly a centerman and he seems to be able to use his speed. It’s a little bit more simple playing the wing, he can really use his strength. Stewie was normally a winger, he [Pillar] was normally a center. We kind of mixed things around, they ended up on the same line, just in different spots and it seems like it’s working really well.”
The proof is in the pudding. Quinn Schmiemann outwaited a sprawling Chiefs’ defenceman before finding Pillar who deposited his 12th of the season from the slot. Pillar’s multi-point night was another feather in the cap for the 17-year old who now has 24 points in his last 23 games. For context, Pillar’s 22 points last season took all 68 games on the schedule. While Clouston acknowledges the growth, confidence and maturity in Pillar’s game this season, it’s all humility from the Warman, Sask. native.
“I think pucks are just kind of bouncing a bit more my way, our line’s been clicking and we’ve been sticking to our structure as well which plays a big role in it for sure. We play good in both ends and I think that helps us, good defensive structure usually results in good offence so I think that’s big.”
Luke Toporowski found a crack in that defence before firing home a one-timer and shrinking the Blazers’ lead to one goal. Spokane’s Adam Beckman nearly tied the game with minutes remaining on a play designed specifically for his dangerous shot. Nevertheless, Garand preserved the lead with a glove save and earned more post-game praise from his coach.
“He’s a student of the game; he understands what the other team is doing so nothing really surprised him, he knew they were looking for that. We talked about the kind of low, back door plays. He read it, he knew it was going there and he had great anticipation [and] squared up nice on that one.”
With Spokane’s Lukas Parik on the bench for the extra attacker, Zane Franklin fired home the empty-net goal to put a stamp on the 4-2 victory.
The Blazers will now prepare for a home-and-home set with the Vancouver Giants this coming weekend. Vancouver currently occupies the first Wildcard playoff spot with 45 points while Kamloops’ 67 points pace the B.C Division.
