(Image credit: Rob Wilton via Twitter/@blazershockey).

By Aaron Schulze

Giants 3 Blazers 2

Blazers lose first game of the playoffs, still lead series against Giants 2-1

May 11, 2022 | 7:02 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers lost their first game of the 2022 Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs.

After sweeping the Spokane Chiefs in round one and taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series in round two, the Blazers dropped game three to the Vancouver Giants 3-2.

Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Blazers answered back halfway through the second. Fraser Minten’s wrist shot as Kamloops’ power play expired tied the game 1-1.

The Giants responded six minutes later in the second period. On the power play, Ty Thorpe banked the puck of Blazers defenceman Viktor Persson’s skate and in to make it 2-1 Vancouver.

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Special teams would decide the third period. Drew Englot tipped home a goal on the power play to tie the game 2-2, but a late penalty would cost the Blazers as the Giants’ Alex Cotton one timer would serve as the game winner. The Blazers hit a goal post and crossbar – had a lengthy video review to see if they scored the tying goal with nearly three seconds remaining – but couldn’t force overtime.

The Blazers lead the series 2-1. Game four against the Giants takes place in Langley on Thursday (May 12).

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Giants, Justin Lies (1) from Jaden Lipinski and Matthew Edwards, 11:55

Second Period

1-1, Blazers, Fraser Minten (4) from Mats Lindgren and Matthew Seminoff, 9:45

2-1, Giants, Ty Thorpe (2) from Alex Cotton and Fabian Lysell (power play), 15:55

Third Period

2-2, Blazers, Drew Englot (3) from Mats Lindgren and Fraser Minten (power play), 8:38

3-2, Giants, Alex Cotton (6) from Fabian Lysell and Ty Thorpe (power play), 16:36

Goaltending

Jesper Vikman (W), Giants, 34 saves on 36 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dylan Garand (L), Blazers, 29 saves on 32 shots in 59 minutes played.