By Tim O'Donovan - Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers season over after game 7 loss to the Kelowna Rockets

Apr 5, 2016 | 1:44 AM

KELOWNA, B.C. — The Kamloops Blazers season came to an end on Monday night in Kelowna as the Rockets won Game 7, 2-1 in overtime to win the best-of-seven first round series 4-3. 

The Rockets scored the game’s first goal 3:37 in. Justin Kirkland batted a rebound past goaltender Connor Ingram for the early lead. 

As the game carried on, the Blazers continued to get better. They tied the game up with 2:57 left in the second period. 

Nick Chyzowski pounced on a rebound on the power play and scored his first of the playoffs to make it 1-1 going into the third period. 

There were some tense moments in the third period as each team had their chances. Rourke Chartier rang one of the post late in period for the Rockets and the game was off to overtime. 

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The Blazers best chance came off a shot from Ryan Rehill. It went off the backboards and through the crease. 

Tomas Soustal won the game on a rebound 7:07 into overtime. Gordie Ballhorn put a shot on goal and Soustal got to the rebound first to propel the Rockets into the second round of the playoffs. 

The goal ended the Blazers season as they pushed the defending WHL Champions to the limit. 

After an 0-6-0-0 start, the hockey club went 38-19-5-4 in their final 66 games to finish 4th in the Western Conference. 

The loss also was the end of Matt Needham, Ryan Rehill and Gage Quinney’s junior hockey careers. All three players had tremendous WHL careers.