Image credit: Twitter/Kamloops Blazers/@ADouglasPhotos
BLAZERS 4 ROYALS 3

Kamloops Blazers top Royals 4-3 in nail-biter

Apr 9, 2022 | 10:12 AM

KAMLOOPS – With just four seconds on the game clock, Matthew Seminoff scored the game-winner for the Kamloops Blazers in a 4-3 win over the Victoria Royals Friday (April 8) night.

This win puts the Blazers four points behind the Western Conference leading Everitt Silvertips and is a pivotal loss for the Royals in their fight for a playoff spot.

The Royals currently sit tied for the seventh seed, one point ahead of the Prince George Cougars who have 49 points on the season.

Going into the final frame, the game was tied 2-2. With power play goals by Blazers’ Caedan Bankier and Royals’ Bailey Peach, the game was tied once again 3-3 with seven minutes remaining.

Seminoff’s late-game heroics improved the Blazers’ regular-season record to 47-16-2 for the 2021-22 WHL season, good for 96 points in 65 games.

Next up, the Blazers take on the Portland Winterhawks Saturday (April 9) as they continue their homestand at 7:00 PM at the Sandman Centre.

The Cougars face off Saturday (April 9) against the Royals in their battle for playoff seeding. If Victoria loses, they will be knocked out of the final playoff spot with three games remaining in the regular season.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Quinn Schmiemann (13) from Logan Stankoven, and Daylan Kuefler, 4:09

1-1, Royals, Brayden Schuurman (29) from Bailey Peach, and Kalem Parker (power play), 13:18

Second Period

2-1, Blazers, Fraser Minten (20) from Matthew Seminoff, and Connor Levis, 5:16

2-2, Royals, Bailey Peach (35) from Riley Gannon, and Evan Patrician, 12:21

Third Period

3-2, Blazers, Caedan Bankier (19) from Logan Stankoven, and Quinn Schmiemann (power play), 6:51

3-3, Royals, Bailey Peach (36) from Riley Gannon, and Brayden Schuurman (power play), 12:32

4-3, Blazers, Matthew Seminoff (25) from Logan Stankoven, 19:56

Goaltending

Dylan Garand (W), Blazers, 17 saves on 20 shots in 60 minutes played.

Tyler Palmer (L), Cougars, 26 saves on 30 shots in 59:56 minutes played.