(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers).

By Aaron Schulze

Blazers 6 Rockets 4

Minten scores hat trick, Blazers defeat Rockets 6-4

Dec 28, 2022 | 6:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — A handful of main characters in the Kamloops v. Kelowna Western Hockey League (WHL) rivalry are absent.

While Logan Stankoven and Caedan Bankier are away from the Kamloops Blazers and Colton Dach and Gabriel Szturc are away from the Kelowna Rockets, all due to serving for their respective countries at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, the rivalry was still dramatic during the Blazers’ 6-4 win on Tuesday (Dec. 27).

Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Blazers tied the game on the power play with a wrist shot from Fraser Minten above the left hash marks.

The Rockets retook the lead 2-1 halfway through the second, but this time the Blazers rebounded with two unanswered goals to exit the middle frame with a 3-2 lead. Connor Levis’ wrist shot from above the right circle went top shelf and Daylan Kuefler pounced on a rebound after a shot from Matthew Seminoff off the face off.

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Opening the third, however, it was the Rockets’ turn to score two unanswered goals to retake the lead 4-3. Although Seminoff tied the game for the Blazers again as his wrist shot went through a crowd of players and the goaltender and in.

To close out the third period, Minten emerged as the hero for the Blazers. He scored the game winning goal in between the hash marks and the empty net insurance goal to complete his hat trick en route to the 6-4 win. Seminoff also had four points – one goal and three assists – in the win.

The Blazers have won five games in a row to improve their record to 19-6-3-2, good for 43 points in 30 games. They’re first in the WHL B.C. Division and third in the Western Conference.

Next up for the Blazers is a rematch with those same Kelowna Rockets Wednesday (Dec. 28) night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Rockets, Andrew Cristall (22) from Ethan Neutens, 17:36

Second Period

1-1, Blazers, Fraser Minten (14) from Matthew Seminoff and Connor Levis (power play), 6:43

2-1, Rockets, Turner McMillen (4) from Ethan Neutens, 11:54

2-2, Blazers, Connor Levis (9) from Dylan Sydor, 17:06

3-2, Blazers, Daylan Kuefler (15) from Matthew Seminoff and Fraser Minten, 19:12

Third Period

3-3, Rockets, Carson Golder (13) unassisted, 5:08

4-3, Rockets, Turner McMillen 2 (5) from Andrew Cristall and Dylan Wightman (power play), 6:56

4-4, Blazers, Matthew Seminoff (13) from Daylan Kuefler, 9:33

5-4, Blazers, Fraser Minten 2 (15) from Kyle Masters and Matthew Seminoff (power play), 14:35

6-4, Blazers, Fraser Minten 3 (16) unassisted, 19:55

Goaltending

Dylan Ernst (W), Blazers, 21 saves on 25 shots in 60 minutes played.

Talyn Boyko (L), Rockets, 38 saves on 43 shots in 59 minutes played.