Image credit: Allen Douglas Photos via Facebook/Kamloops Blazers
Raiders 5 Blazers 2

Blazers fall to Raiders at home 5-2, prepare to hit the road again

Oct 16, 2024 | 7:53 AM

KAMLOOPS — Home cooking could not reverse the Kamloops Blazers’ recent cold snap.

After a five-game road stretch which saw them go 1-3-1, the Blazers returned to Sandman Centre Tuesday (Oct. 15) night and fell to the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2.

The Raiders opened the scoring 38 seconds into the first period, but the Blazers responded minutes later with captain Emmitt Finnie sneaking the puck in at a sharp angle.

The Raiders retook the lead in the second period. While the Blazers had ample opportunity to find the tying goal, including a breakaway for Nathan Behm, they surrendered another goal on a deflection late and trailed 3-1 after two periods.

The Raiders added two power play goals in the third period to put the game out of reach. Jordan Keller scored on the power play for the Blazers with 27 seconds remaining.

The Blazers fall to 2-6-1 on the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for five points in nine games. They have dropped four straight games and sit at the bottom of the WHL Western Conference standings.

The Blazers are back on the road Thursday (Oct. 17) when they visit the Portland Winterhawks. The Blazers return home Saturday (Oct. 19) at 6:00 p.m. when they welcome the Wenatchee Wild to Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Tomas Mrsic (5) from Luke Moroz and Justice Christensen, 0:38

1-1, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (4) unassisted, 6:20

Second Period

2-1, Raiders, Ethan Bibeau (3) from Riley Boychuk and Brayden Dube, 4:30

3-1, Raiders, Luke Moroz (1) from Doogan Pederson and Tomas Mrsic, 18:39

Third Period

4-1, Raiders, Krzysztof Macias (2) from Niall Crocker and Tomas Mrsic (power play), 6:32

5-1, Raiders, Aiden Oiring (3) from Niall Crocker and Lukas Dragicevic (power play), 8:42

5-2, Blazers, Jordan Keller (2) from Emmitt Finnie and Harrison Brunicke (power play), 19:33

Goaltending

Max Hildebrand (W), Raiders, 37 saves on 39 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dylan Ernst (L), Blazers, 21 saves on 26 shots in 60 minutes played.