(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

First Place

Blazers beat Giants 3-1, will finish first in the B.C. WHL Hub

May 9, 2021 | 9:07 AM

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops local’s first career Western Hockey League (WHL) goal was the game winner for the Blazers Saturday (May 8) evening.

Dylan Sydor – the son of former Blazers defenceman and Stanley Cup Champion Darryl Sydor – scored halfway through the first period. It was enough to help the Blazers hold on to a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Giants.

Thirty-four seconds prior, Fraser Minten gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Caedan Bankier then scored the 3-0 insurance goal early in the third period. Goaltender Dylan Garand made 20 saves in the win.

Scoring Summary

First Period

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1-0, Blazers, Fraser Minten (2) from Daylan Kuefler and Matthew Seminoff, 12:16

2-0, Blazers, Dylan Sydor (1) from Reese Belton and Quinn Schmiemann, 12:50

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

3-0, Caedan Bankier (10) unassisted, 2:43

3-1, Giants, Justin Sourdif (10) from Zack Ostapchuk and Tanner Brown, 11:39

Goaltending

Blazers, Dylan Garand (W), 20 saves on 21 shots in 60 minutes played.

Giants, Trent Miner (L), 30 saves on 33 shots in 59 minutes played.

First place

With the win, the Blazers secured first place in the shortened, B.C. WHL Hub season.

1. Kamloops; 16-4-0-0, 32 points (0.800-point percentage), two games remaining
2. Vancouver; 11-10-0-0, 22 points (0.524-point percentage), one game remaining
3. Prince George; 9-8-2-1, 21 points (0.525-point percentage), two games remaining
4. Kelowna; 8-4-1-0, 17 points (0.654-point percentage), three games remaining
5. Victoria; 3-15-1-1, eight points (0.200-point percentage), two games remaining

In total points, no other B.C. WHL team can catch them, as each win is only worth two points.

Even in point percentage – a more relevant tiebreaker due to Kelowna not being able to play the same number of games – the worst point percentage Kamloops can finish with is 0.727 if they lose their last two games. The highest point percentage Kelowna can finish with is 0.719.

Unfortunately for the Blazers, other than bragging rights, the top seed won’t matter beyond the B.C. WHL Hub season, as the league previously announced there would be no playoffs.

However, the Blazers aim to finish their shortened season strong when they play the Rockets Monday (May 10) at Prospera Place in Kelowna.