Edmonstone’s heroics in vain as Blazers fall to WHL-best Silvertips Friday night

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers gave up two empty net goals in the final minute of action, as they dropped a 4-1 decision to the WHL-leading Everett Silvertips Friday (Feb. 7) night at Sandman Centre.

The Blazers were led by goaltender Logan Edmonstone, who finished with 35 saves on 37 shots. While he was named second star, his heroics weren’t enough for the injury-plagued Blazers who were missing several players, including captain and leading scorer Emmitt Finnie.

Still, the Blazers held the ‘Tips, who became the first WHL team to clinch a playoff berth, off the scoresheet in the first period Friday. Cole Temple finally broke the deadlock at 5:04 of the second, while Tarin Smith doubled Everett’s lead at 9:51.

Josh Kelly scored the Blazers only goal of the game at 12:51 of a feisty middle frame, that saw two fights – Conner Radke and Caine Wilke at 2:41, as well as Vit Zahejsky and former Blazer Rylan Pearce at 14:13. Pearce, Zahejsky, and Everett’s Eric Jamieson (who was also given a major penalty for charging) were all assessed game misconducts and ejected from the game.