Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Oil Kings 3 Blazers 1

Blazers begin 2024 with 3-1 loss to the Oil Kings

Jan 4, 2024 | 6:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers began 2024 with a 3-1 loss at home to the Edmonton Oil Kings Wednesday (Jan. 3) night.

A pair of Oil Kings goals late in the first period had the Blazers playing catchup for the remainder of the game. After a scoreless second, the Oil Kings added one more goal early in the third.

Jordan Keller scored a power play goal on a sharp angle late in the third to break the Oil Kings’ shutout bid but Monte Creek native Kolby Hay made 11 of his 35 saves in the third period – including a penalty shot stop on Connor Levis – to preserve the Edmonton win.

The Blazers fall to 9-23-3-2 on the 2023-24 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 23 points in 37 games. They’re at the bottom of the overall WHL standings.

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Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Oil Kings, Landon Hanson (3) from Treycen Wuttunee and Blake Fiddler, 16:23

2-0, Oil Kings, Gracyn Sawchyn (8) from Ty Nash, 18:53

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

3-0, Oil Kings, Gracyn Sawchyn 2 (9) from Ty Nash and Gavin Hodnett, 1:18

3-1, Blazers, Jordan Keller (11) from Emmitt Finne and Logan Bairos (power play), 19:18

Goaltending

Kolbie Hay (W), Oil Kings, 35 saves on 36 shots.

Dylan Ernst (L), Blazers, 27 saves on 30 shots.