(Facebook/Kamloops Blazers).

By Aaron Schulze

Rockets 4 Blazers 3

Blazers can’t solve Rockets again, fall at home 4-3

Dec 5, 2021 | 10:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — Off the ice, there was plenty for the Kamloops Blazers to celebrate Saturday (Dec. 4) evening.

For the first time in the 2021-22 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, the Blazers were able to welcome up to 100 per cent capacity at the Sandman Centre. On the night they were paying tribute to their former president – the late Don Moores – the Blazers welcomed 4,456 fans, up nearly 1,500 from what they were allowed at 50 per cent capacity under Interior Health’s restrictions.

The cherry on top would have been a win over their rival Kelowna Rockets. Unfortunately, for the Blazers, they fell 4-3 and dropped their first game at home this season.

Kamloops opened the scoring early when Josh Pillar sprung Matthew Seminoff on a breakaway, but Kelowna quickly responded when Colton Dach put back a rebound in tight. A tip-in goal from Connor Levis would give the Blazers a 2-1 lead exiting the first.

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However, the second period was a perfect road frame for the visiting Rockets. Kelowna held the Blazers to just seven shots and outscored them 2-0 in 20 minutes.

The Blazers had hope to at least secure a point halfway through, thanks to an end-to-end goal by Caedan Bankier. Although the Rockets answered back with another net front goal, this time by Tuner McMillen. Rockets goaltender Talyn Boyko survived a late barrage of shot to seal the win.

The Blazers fell to 17-4-0 on the 2021-22 WHL season, losing back-to-back games for the first time. Three of their losses have come against the Rockets.

However, the Blazers are still first in the B.C. Division and second in the Western Conference with 34 points in 21 games.

The Blazers host the Vancouver Giants at Sandman Centre on Wednesday (Dec. 8).

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Matthew Seminoff (12) from Josh Pillar, 1:18

1-1, Rockets, Colton Dach (10) from Andrew Cristall and Steel Quiring, 3:59

2-1, Blazers, Connor Levis (4) from Ethan Brandwood, 11:55

Second Period

2-2, Rockets, Colton Dach 2 (11) from Andrew Cristall and Pavel Novak (power play), 12:28

3-2, Rockets, Turner McMillen (3) from Marcus Pacheco and Max Graham, 15:37

Third Period

3-3, Blazers, Caedan Bankier (9) from Quinn Schmiemann, 9:16

4-3, Rockets, Turner McMillen 2 (4) from Max Graham and Marcus Pacheco, 15:30

Goaltending

Talyn Boyko (W), Rockets, 33 saves on 36 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dylan Garand (L), Blazers, 29 saves on 33 shots in 59 minutes played.