Rockets bounce Blazers 4-2, eliminate Kamloops from the WHL Playoffs

Apr 2, 2017 | 8:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers fell 4-2 in Game 6 on Friday night at home as they lost the best-of-seven series 4-2 to the Kelowna Rockets. 

The Blazers had two great chances to start the game, but Deven Sideroff was stopped on a breakaway and Lane Bauer fired high and wide.

The Rockets got on the scoreboard on an odd man rush. Dillon Dube roofed a shot over the shoulder of Connor Ingram to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead through the first period. 

Reid Gardiner then made it 2-0 on a one-timer on the power play as the Rockets carried the 2-0 lead into the third period. 

The Blazers thought they got to within a goal as Deven Sideroff tipped a puck past goaltender Michael Herringer. It was called a goal on the ice, but video review decided to overturn the call. 

On a great individual effort, Collin Shirley brought the Blazers to within a goal. He won a puck battled and scored on a backhand shot with 3:11 to play to make it a 2-1 game. 

The Blazers came back to tie the game 57 seconds later. Brodi Stuart scored his first career goal in the WHL on a rebound to make it 2-2 with 2:14 to play. 

The Rockets ended the Blazers late heroics on a rush as Reid Gardiner scored his second goal of the game with 1:57 to play. 

Gardiner would add an empty net goal to complete the hat-trick as the Rockets went on to a 4-2 win over the Blazers.