Jakub Demek scored his first of the tournament in a dominate victory over Peterborough (Photos by Candice Ward/CHL)

By Michael Reeve

2023 Memorial Cup

Scary scene as Masters leaves on stretcher overshadows dominate Blazers performance Sunday afternoon

May 28, 2023 | 6:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a Sunday afternoon battle between two teams staring Memorial Cup disappointment in the face as the Kamloops Blazers and Peterborough Petes both entered the contest at 0-1. The host Blazers were easily handled by the QMJHL Champion Quebec Remparts on Friday night, while the Petes lost on Saturday to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Those tired Peterborough legs likely a factor in the Sunday matinee as the Blazers poured on the offense in a massive 10-1 victory.

It appeared that the Blazers had struck first, but the goal was immediately waved by the refs for goaltender interference by Kamloops captain Logan Stankoven.

The home team however would not be deterred and after a string of big hits in the offensive zone, a point shot from Ryan Michael would have eyes and find it’s way past Petes goalie Ryan Simpson to open the scoring, 1-0.

The Blazers would take full advantage of the first powerplay of the contest with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten bulging the twine to double the Kamloops lead just before the 10-minute mark of the first period, 2-0.

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The onslaught from the Blazer would continue as Ashton Ferster would get credit with his first of the tournament after going hard to the net on a rush chance as the puck rebounded past Simpson to make it 3-0 Kamloops.

The Petes would get a late powerplay chance of their own but fail to convert. Just before the horn for the end of the first period, a spirited fight breaks out with both Cam Gauvreau and Dylan Kuefler landing solid shots. Gauvreau takes the extra minor and gives the Blazers a powerplay to begin the middle stanza. 3-0 Blazers after 20 minutes.

Kamloops wouldn’t need much time on the powerplay at the start of the second period as Stankoven, Caedan Bankier and Matthew Seminoff worked a picture-perfect tic-tac-toe passing play for Seminoff’s second of the tournament.

Just over two-minutes later Dylan Sydor joined the party, firing home from the slot to chase Simpson from the game after 5 goals on 20 shots. Liam Sztuska takes over in the blue paint for the Petes staring down a mountain to climb, his side already down 5-0.

Stankoven would quickly welcome Sztuska to the contest with his first goal of the tournament. Blazer up 6-0 less than 25 minutes in the game.

The Kamloops powerplay would stay perfect with Jakub Demek firing home his first before the midway point of the game. 7-0 Blazers.

The Petes would finally break the shutout with a powerplay marker of their own late in the second period. Avery Hayes got the last touch to put Peterborough on the board, 7-1.

Connor Levis would start the third period off hot for Kamloops, sniping short-side to buoy the Blazers lead back to 7, 8-1.

Seminoff would add his second of the night on a 5-on-3 powerplay to make it 9-1 in the third. Hofer would add another to make it 10-1 Kamloops.

A scary scene late in the contest would see Kyle Masters leave on a stretcher after taking a big hit in the corner and falling into the boards. Masters was seen moving following the incident but was stabilized on a backboard on the ice before being taken off. Masters would give the crowd a thumbs-up on his way off the ice.

The win secures the Blazers, at worst, a tie-breaker game on Thursday to reach the playoff round of the tournament. Kamloops is back on the ice Wednesday for their round-robin finale versus the WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds, puck drop 6:00 p.m.