KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers dropped their fourth game in a row in a 5-3 loss to the Portland Winterhawks Friday night at the Sandman Centre.
Kamloops lost power forward Jermaine Loewen early in the game with a five minute major for a check to the head and game misconduct.
On the ensuing power play the Winterhawks scored twice, 18 seconds apart — first by Ryan Hughes and then Joachim Blichfeld.
The Blazers power play clicks late in the first on Zane Franklin’s 4th.
After being outshot 17-3 and outscored 2-1 in the first, the Blazers owned the second period.
Connor Zary and Zane Franklin on a two-man advantage with his second of the game gave Kamloops a 3-2 lead after the second on shots of 12-3.
Portland tied it 18 seconds into the third on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Blichfeld for his second of the game.
A minute and 18 seconds later the Winterhawks regained the lad with Blichfeld setting up Jake Gricius.
WATCH: POST-GAME REACTION FROM PORTLAND ASSISTANT COACH DON HAY
Dylan Ferguson came out for an extra attacker with under two minutes left, but Mason Mannek scored into an empty net to seal a 5-3 win and a Portland sweep of the only two games the Winterhawks will play in Kamloops this season.
WATCH: POST-GAME REACTION FROM KAMLOOPS HEAD COACH SERGE LAJOIE
