(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers).

By Aaron Schulze

Blazers 6 Rockets 2

Minten scores hat trick in back-to-back games as Blazers pick up back-to-back wins over Rockets

Dec 29, 2022 | 7:10 AM

KAMLOOPS — Wednesday (Dec. 28) was a night of back-to-backs for the Kamloops Blazers.

In front of more than 5,100 fans at Sandman Centre, the Blazers defeated their rival Kelowna Rockets for the second straight time exiting the holiday break, this time by a score of 6-2.

Additionally, Fraser Minten continued his mid-week torch of the Rockets, scoring a hat trick in back-to-back games.

Kamloops opened the scoring just over five minutes in thanks to a high wrist shot from Drew Englot. Although the Rockets would tie the game in a first period where they outshot the Blazers 14-11.

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The second, however, is where the Blazers erupted. Four goals in 5:30, including two from Minten and the first Western Hockey League (WHL) goal for Nathan MacPherson-Ridgewell, would guide the Blazers to the blowout win.

Minten scored the insurance-marking hat trick goal with a slap shot from above the left circle.

The Blazers have now won six straight games to improve their record to 20-6-3-2, good for 45 points in 31 games. Kamloops is first in the WHL B.C. Division and third in the Western Conference.

Next up for the Blazers is a home-and-home match up with the Prince George Cougars to end 2022, starting Friday (Dec. 30) with a 7 p.m. puck drop at Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Drew Englot (3) from Shea Van Olm and Emmitt Finnie, 5:30

1-1, Rockets, Carson Golder (14) from Caden Price and Andrew Cristall (power play), 14:37

Second Period

2-1, Blazers, Nathan MacPherson-Ridgewell (1) from Emmitt Finnie and Aapo Sarell, 1:25

3-1, Blazers, Fraser Minten (17) unassisted, 2:56

4-1, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (4) from Nathan MacPherson-Ridgewell and Logan Bairos, 4:11

5-1, Blazers, Fraser Minten 2 (18) from Kyle Masters and Dylan Sydor (power play), 6:55

5-2, Rockets, Logan Peskett (3) from Dylan Wightman, 18:13

Third Period

6-2, Blazers, Fraser Minten 3 (19) from Kyle Masters and Dylan Sydor (power play), 5:37

Goaltending

Dylan Ernst (W), Blazers, 26 saves on 28 shots in 60 minutes played.

Jari Kykkanen (L), Rockets, 12 saves on 16 shots in 24 minutes played.

Talyn Boyko, Rockets, 21 saves on 33 shots in 36 minutes played.