Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Wild 5 Blazers 2

Blazers’ playoff chances slimmer following 5-2 home loss to Wild

Mar 13, 2025 | 6:36 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers’ playoff hopes took a serious blow Wednesday (March 12) night following a 5-2 loss at home to the Wenatchee Wild.

Things started well and early for the Blazers. Oren Shtrom put a rebound through and gave Kamloops a 1-0 lead 21 seconds in.

However, the Blazers proceeded to surrender three unanswered goals over the next two periods and trailed 3-1 heading into the third.

Blazers captain Emmitt Finnie noted to CFJC Today that every game near the tail end of the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) season is a must-win. He showed that urgency just over five minutes into the third by sneaking behind the Wild defence, receiving a pass from Jordan Keller, cutting to the net and scoring his team-leading 35th goal to get his team within one.

The Blazers peppered the Wild with 18 shots in the third period, but they couldn’t buy a tying goal. The Wild added two empty net goals en route to the 5-2 win.

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The Blazers fall to 22-36-4-1 on the 2024-25 WHL season, good for 49 points in 63 games. They trail the Seattle Thunderbirds by six points for the final playoff spot. The Blazers have five games remaining in the regular season while the Thunderbirds have six.

The Blazers look to keep their playoff chances afloat Friday (March 15) when they visit the Kelowna Rockets. The Blazers return home Saturday to host the Rockets for a 6:00 p.m. start at Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Oren Shtrom (16) from Emmitt Finnie and Nathan Behm, 0:21

1-1, Wild, Dawson Seitz (16) from Shaun Rios and Tye Spencer, 13:41

Second Period

2-1, Wild, Evan Friesen (28) from Tye Spencer and Lukas McCloskey, 8:09

3-1, Wild, Luka Shcherbyna (20) unassisted, 14:02

Third Period

3-2, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (35) from Jordan Keller and Harrison Brunicke (power play), 5:12

4-2, Wild, Miles Cooper (23) from Luka Shcherbyna (empty net), 18:15

5-2, Wild, Luka Shcherbyna 2 (21) unassisted (empty net), 19:48

Goaltending

Brendan Gee (W), Wild, 37 saves on 39 shots in 60 minutes played.

Logan Edmonstone (L), Blazers, 34 saves on 37 shots in 59 minutes played.