Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Blazers 5 Chiefs 2

Blazers snap skid with 5-2 win over Chiefs

Feb 29, 2024 | 7:03 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs from Sandman Centre Wednesday (Feb. 28).

While the Blazers surrendered the first goal in the first period, they were able to set themselves up with a blank slate with five seconds remaining. Kamloops’ Jordan Keller found a loose puck in the crease and scored on the power play to tie the game 1-1.

The middle frame was all Kamloops. The Blazers peppered Chiefs goaltender Dawson Cowan with 23 shots in the second period and scored three goals. Logan Bairos’ shot from the point found a way home, Zach Pantelakis skated behind the net and back up behind the right circle and let it fly, and Kalan Anderlini scored his first career Western Hockey League (WHL) goal with a slap shot from the left circle.

Keller scored his second goal of the game on a rebound to extend the lead to 5-1, which was more than enough for the Blazers to skate towards a 5-2 win.

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Shea Van Olm, who was traded to the Chiefs ahead of the WHL trade deadline after spending two seasons with the Blazers, was held off the scoresheet in his return to Kamloops.

The Blazers improve to 19-33-3-3 on the 2023-24 WHL season, good for 44 points in 58 games. They remain at the bottom of the overall WHL standings but trail the Chiefs for the eighth and final playoff spot by nine points with 10 games remaining.

Next up for the Blazers is a home game Friday, March 1 against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Chiefs, Lukas Kral (5) from Layton Feist, 11:12

1-1, Blazers, Jordan Keller (15) from Ashton Ferster and Blake Swetlikoff (power play), 19:55

Second Period

2-1, Blazers, Logan Bairos (8) from Emmitt Finnie and Jordan Keller, 0:57

3-1, Blazers, Zach Pantelakis (2) from Andrew Thomson, 4:18

4-1, Blazers, Kalan Anderlini (1) from Emmitt Finnie and Ashton Ferster, 16:32

Third Period

5-1, Blazers, Jordan Keller (16) from Ryan Michael, 5:44

5-2, Chiefs, Conner Roulette (38) from Berkly Catton and Nathan Mayes, 16:06

Goaltending

Dylan Ernst (W), Blazers, 29 saves on 31 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dawson Cowan (L), Chiefs, 43 saves on 48 shots in 60 minutes played.