Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Winterhawks 4 Blazers 3

Blazers press but fall to Winterhawks 4-3

Mar 6, 2025 | 7:03 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers fell just short on the road Wednesday (March 6) night, losing to the Portland Winterhawks 4-3.

The Blazers were behind the 8-ball early as the Winterhawks opened the scoring 30 seconds in. Although Kamloops local Jordan Keller eventually got the ball rolling for the Blazers, firing home a power play goal from the right circle after being set up cross ice by Tommy Lafreniere.

In the backend of the first period, the Winterhawks jumped ahead again with two goals in 53 seconds to take a 3-1 lead.

However, Keller would respond for the Blazers again. He scored his second power play goal of the game, his Western Hockey League leading 19th of the 2024-25 season, off a slap shot from the right circle after being set up cross ice from captain Emmitt Finnie.

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The Winterhawks struck early again in the second period. Kayd Ruedig’s shot from the point gave Portland a power play goal of their own to make it a 4-2 game.

But for the third time, the Blazers battled back and got a goal. Vit Zahejsky faked a wrist shot in the slot and fed the puck to a wide open Finnie on the right side to make it a 4-3 game.

The Blazers pressed with 16 shots in the third period, including a shorthanded breakaway by Finnie and a rebound stop off John Szabo, but the Winterhawks held on for the 4-3 win.

The Blazers fall to 22-34-4-1 on the 2024-25 WHL season, good for 49 points in 61 games. They’re 10th in the Western Conference, trailing the Seattle Thunderbirds for the eighth and final WHL playoff spot by four points. The Blazers have seven games remaining in the regular season while the Thunderbirds have eight.

The Blazers return home to welcome the Vancouver Giants to Sandman Centre Saturday (March 8) at 6:00 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Winterhawks, Joel Plante (5) from Tyson Jugnauth and Alex Weiermair, 0:30

1-1, Blazers, Jordan Keller (28) from Tommy Lafreniere and Emmitt Finnie (power play), 8:37

2-1, Winterhawks, Diego Buttazzoni (33) from Carter Sotheran and Ryder Thompson, 15:13

3-1, Winterhawks, Josh Zakreski (33) unassisted, 16:06

3-2, Blazers, Jordan Keller 2 (29) from Emmitt Finnie and Harrison Brunicke (power play), 19:55

Second Period

4-2, Winterhawks, Kayd Ruedig (4) from Max Psenicka and Joel Plante (power play), 2:42

4-3, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (34) from Vit Zahejsky and Oren Shtrom, 7:11

Third Period

No scoring.

Goaltending

Ondrej Stebetak (W), Winterhawks, 40 saves on 43 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dylan Ernst (L), Blazers, 36 saves on 40 shots in 58 minutes played.