Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers/Allen Douglas

By Adam Donnelly

BACK IN WIN COLUMN

Blazers grind out win over rival Giants

Jan 3, 2020 | 10:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — It won’t go down as one of the prettiest wins of the Kamloops Blazers’ 2019 – 20 season, but after consecutive losses on home ice, a win is a win.

There was no scoring in the opening frame, as neither team was able to get a clean look at the opponent’s goal.

Kamloops opened the scoring, as Logan Stankoven picked up his 13th of the year on a heavy wrister from the left face-off dot. The goal was the result of a thunderous Ryley Appelt bodycheck in the corner.

The goal sparked the Blazers, but they weren’t able to get another past Giants netminder David Tendeck in the second or third periods. Kamloops directed a combined 34 shots at the Vancouver goal in the final 40 minutes of play.

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The Giants didn’t have much luck getting a puck past Dylan Garand, either. The Blazers puck-stopper had a relatively quiet night, stopping all 19 shots he faced- right up until the 19:33 mark of the third period when Tristen Neilsen sliced through the Kamloops defence and snuck one off the post and past Garand to tie the game.

Both teams traded chances in overtime, and with 1:40 left in extra time, Zane Franklin fired a 55-footer towards the Vancouver net. The puck bounced off Cole Shepard and eluded Tendeck for the game-winner.

The Giants goalie stopped 45 of 47 shots in a losing effort, while Garand made 19 saves in earning the victory.

Kamloops Blazers postgame reaction after 2-1 OT win

The Blazers are back at it on Sandman Centre ice on Saturday night, as they look for retribution against the Victoria Royals.