Nathan Behm scoring the game winner against the Kelowna Rockets on Jan. 3, 2025. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

Blazers 4 Rockets 1

Blazers score three in the third period to complete weekend sweep over Rockets

Jan 4, 2026 | 8:17 AM

KAMLOOPS — Josh Evaschesen had a goal and two assists to lead the Kamloops Blazers to a 4-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets at Sandman Centre Saturday (Jan. 3) night.

Nathan Behm and Tommy Lafreniere also chipped in with a goal and assist each as well as the Blazers scored three in the third period to complete the weekend sweep over their longtime BC Division rival. Kamloops took Friday’s game in Kelowna in a shootout.

Ty Bonkowski had the other goal Saturday while Dryden Deobald finished with two assists.

“It was huge against a division rival,” Bonkowski said post-game. “It was fun to play [Friday] and fun to play them again today at home and it was nice to get the win.”

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“I think everyone has been contributing and we just have to keep it up and keep it rolling.”

Lafreniere moved into a tie with JP Hulbert in the Blazers goalscoring race when he opened the scoring on the power play at 8:26 of the first period on jersey night at Sandman Centre.

The Rockets tied the game less than four minutes later with a power play goal of their own scored by Hiroki Gojsic.

Behm then broke a 1-1 tie with yet another power play goal just 19 seconds into the third period set up by Hurlbert, who continues to lead all CHL skaters with 61 points.

Behm nets one on the power play! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/sqCvIRfrk4

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 4, 2026

Bonkowski and Evaschesen then added their names to the scoresheet to make it 4-1 Blazers with a little over five minutes left to play.

“It’s a rivalry for sure,” Hurlbert said after the game. “I was told that coming in and you can feel the buzz in the building so for us to come out of here with four points, it’s a great weekend.”

Logan Edmonstone stopped 28 of 29 shots to pick up his second win over Kelowna in as many nights. Harrison Boettiger, who didn’t play Friday, stopped 35 of 39 shots in a losing effort.

The win has the 18-13-3-4 Blazers remain in fourth place in the WHL’s Western Conference with 43 points from 38 games. They are third in the B.C. Division behind Prince George and Penticton. The 17-14-3-2 Rockets are four points back of the Blazers in seventh place in the conference.

Next up for the Blazers is a weekend home-and-home with the Penticton Vees, with Saturday’s (Jan. 10) game to be played at Sandman Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.