File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Thunderbirds 3 Blazers 2 SO

Blazers drop third straight in 3-2 shootout loss to Thunderbirds

Feb 26, 2024 | 6:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers dropped their third straight game over the weekend, but they were able to pick up a point in their 3-2 shootout loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds Sunday (Feb. 25).

After a scoreless first period, the Thunderbirds opened the scoring early in the second. Blake Swetlikoff responded for the Blazers near the halfway mark with a wrist shot from the right circle on the power play. Although the Thunderbirds scored in the final minute of the middle frame to escape the second period with a 2-1 lead.

The power play would be the Blazers’ friend again in the third period. Jordan Keller’s slap shot was redirected to tie the game at 2-2.

The Thunderbirds peppered the Blazers with seven shots in overtime, as Kamloops was on the penalty kill for the final 1:40, but the extra frame solved nothing, so both teams went to a shootout.

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The Thunderbirds scored on their first two shots while Nathan Behm and Keller were stuffed.

The Blazers’ record now sits at 18-33-3-3 on the 2023-24 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 42 points in 57 games. They once again sit at the bottom of the overall WHL standings, trailing the Spokane Chiefs for the eighth and final playoff spot by 11 points with 11 games remaining.

The Blazers host the Chiefs Wednesday (Feb. 28) from Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Thunderbirds, Simon Lovsin (11) from Jordan Gustafson and Nico Myatovic, 3:05

1-1, Blazers, Blake Swetlikoff (5) from Jordan Keller and Ashton Ferster (power play), 12:10

2-1, Thunderbirds, Nico Myatovic (5) from Eric Alarie and Sawyer Mynio, 19:39

Third Period

2-2, Blazers, Jordan Keller (15) from Ryan Michael and Blake Swetlikoff (power play), 6:09

Overtime

No scoring.

Shootout; Blazers

Nathan Behm – No goal

Jordan Keller – No goal

Shootout; Thunderbirds

Nico Myatovic – Goal

Braeden Cootes – Goal

Goaltending

Scott Ratzlaff (W), Thunderbirds, 19 saves on 21 shots in 65 minutes played.

Dylan Ernst (SOL), Blazers, 36 saves on 38 shots in 65 minutes played.