Image Credit: File Photo (Allen Douglas/Kamloops Blazers)

By Adam Donnelly

HOCKEY NIGHT IN KAMLOOPS

Blazers battle back, fall short to Silvertips

Dec 28, 2019 | 10:49 PM

KAMLOOPS — After four weeks away from Sandman Centre, there was some anticipation in the air for the Blazers’ first home appearance since the Teddy Bear Toss game back in late November.

With one of the WHL’s top teams in town, there was some added aura to Saturday night’s contest: The Everett Silvertips came into Kamloops sporting a 24-7-2 record and had surrendered just 74 goals in 33 games played.

Meanwhile, the Blazers weren’t far behind. They came into the game with a 22-9-2-1 record, their 47 points good enough for 3rd in the Western Conference. Kamloops had scored 136 goals on the year, which was the most in the West.

It was one of those games where something had to give. When the dust settled, it was the visitors who came out on top in a high scoring affair.

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Everett opened the scoring early in the first, as Gage Conclaves potted his 16th to get things started. The Blazers would answer with two quick strikes. First Orrin Centazzo on the power play, then Logan Stankoven at even strength.

The ‘Tips tied it up before the end of the first period on a Bryce Kindopp goal, then proceeded to tally two more early in the second frame – first from Jake Christiansen, then Olen Zellweger got his first WHL goal (side note: Kamloops kid Aidan Sutter notched his first WHL point, grabbing an assist on that goal).

Kamloops would score to get within one goal in the second frame (Centazzo, again). The Blazers surrendered a late goal to Everett’s Cole Fonstad to make it a 5-3 game after two periods.

Kindopp scored his second of the night to make it 6-3 for the ‘Tips, but the Blazers would find some energy late in the final frame.

Connor Zary scored from a bad angle to get the Blazers within two goals with under three minutes left in the third period.

Then with Dylan Garand on the bench for the extra attacker, Max Martin’s point shot would find its way behind Keegan Karki to make it 6-5 with 59 seconds remaining. That’s as close as Kamloops would come.

Conclaves would add the dagger for the ‘Tips, as he picked off a pass and fired it into the empty net.

Karki stopped 36 of 41 shots between the pipes for Everett in the 7-5 win. Garand made 25 saves on 31 shots in a losing effort.

The Blazers’ next home game is Monday, December 30th, as they welcome the Victoria Royals to town.