(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Blazers Blown Out

Blazers fall to Rockets 6-1, Stankoven continues hot start at U-18 World Championship

May 1, 2021 | 9:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — When the Kamloops Blazers finally got to take on the Kelowna Rockets in the 2021 B.C. Western Hockey League (WHL) Hub season, their eagerness showed in a 6-2 win on April 20.

On Friday (April 30), however, the Rockets returned serve with a 6-1 win in the Prospera Place hub.

The Blazers’ only goal was a rebound put back by Daylan Kuefler shorthanded goal halfway through the third period, but it wasn’t enough to make up for a 5-0 first period. Turner McMillen led the way offensive for Kelowna with a goal and two assists, while Cole Schwebius was nearly perfect in a 31-save performance.

In total points, the Blazers are still first in the B.C. WHL Hub standings with a 12-4 record good for 24 points in 16 games. They’re six points ahead of the Vancouver Giants.

However, in points percentage, the Rockets would be first. Kelowna is 8-2, good for 16 total points in 10 games and a 0.80 point percentage. Kamloops is at 0.75 per cent.

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Because the Rockets’ season was halted for three weeks due to positive COVID-19 tests within the club, they’ll only play 16 games compared to the Blazers’ 22. Point percentage projects who the better team would be if every club played the same number of games.

Kamloops gets a chance for immediate revenge against the Rockets on Saturday (May 1) at the Sandman Centre hub. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Rockets, Elias Carmichael (2) from Tyson Feist and Alex Swetlikoff, 11:08

2-0, Rockets, Dylan Wightman (4) from Turner McMillen and Jake Poole, 15:05

3-0, Rockets, Dillon Hamaliuk (5) from Andrew Cristall and Sean Comrie, 16:35

4-0, Rockets, Turner McMillen (2) from Scott Cousins and Jake Lee, 17:20

5-0, Rockets, Jake Poole (2) from Turner McMillen and Nolan Flamand, 17:46

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

5-1, Blazers, Daylan Kuefler (3) from Matthew Seminoff (shorthanded), 11:02

6-1, Rockets, Nolan Flamand (1) from Jake Lee and Kaedan Korczak (power play), 19:00

Goaltending

Rockets, Cole Schwebius (W), 31 saves on 32 shots in 60 minutes.

Blazers, Dylan Garand (L), 28 saves on 34 shots in 60 minutes.

Logan Stankoven (left) was named part of Team Canada’s leadership group at the 2021 World U-18 Hockey Championship (Twitter/@HockeyCanada).

Stankoven watch

South of the border, Blazers center and Kamloops local Logan Stankoven continued his hot start at the U-18 Men’s World Hockey Championship on Friday.

Stankoven assisted on Connor Bedard’s goal in the first period of Canada’s 7-0 win over Switzerland. He’s tied for second on Team Canada in scoring with five points (two goals and three assists) in three games.

Stankoven and Canada are 3-0 in round robin play and sit first in the Group A standings with nine points.

Canada plays Belarus on Saturday (May 1).