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Wheat Kings 6 Blazers 3

Blazers fall to Wheat Kings at home 6-3

Jan 23, 2025 | 7:17 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers dropped their third straight game Wednesday (Jan. 22) in a 6-3 loss at home to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Tommy Lafreniere put back a rebound to give the Blazers an early 1-0 lead in the first period. Even after the Wheat Kings tied the game five minutes later, the Blazers responded with Max Sullivan tipping home a backhand pass from John Szabo to retake the lead.

However, four unanswered goals allowed would dig the Blazers a hole too steep for them to crawl out of. Blazers captain Emmitt Finnie drove to the net to cut the deficit to 5-3 after two periods, but the Wheat Kings would add one more into the empty net late to secure the 6-3 win.

The Blazers fall to 15-24-3-0 on the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 33 points in 42 games. They sit last in the B.C. Division and 10th in the WHL Western Conference, trailing the Kelowna Rockets for the eighth and final playoff spot by three points.

The Blazers aim to bounce back Friday (Jan. 24) when they welcome the Rockets to Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Tommy Lafreniere (17) from Jordan Keller, 3:30

1-1, Wheat Kings, Carter Klippenstein (7) from Dominik Petr, 8:51

2-1, Blazers, Max Sullivan (6) from John Szabo and Oren Shtrom (power play), 15:09

Second Period

2-2, Wheat Kings, Brady Turko (6) from Carter Klippenstein, 3:18

3-2, Wheat Kings, Quinn Mantei (5) from Matteo Michels (shorthanded), 4:27

4-2, Wheat Kings, Brady Turko 2 (7) unassisted, 7:05

5-2, Wheat Kings, Nolan Flamand (16) from Dominik Petr and Quinn Mantei (power play), 11:32

5-3, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (24) from Matteo Koci, 12:17

Third Period

6-3, Wheat Kings, Caleb Hadland (17) from Nolan Flamand and Quinn Mantei (shorthanded; empty net), 19:34

Goaltending

Carson Bjarnason (W), Wheat Kings, 31 saves on 34 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dylan Ernst (L), Blazers, 24 saves on 29 shots in 59 minutes played.