Josh Evaschesen celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Giants on Feb. 28, 2026. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

Blazers 4 Giants 3

Evaschesen scores 30th WHL goal as Blazers beat Giants to snap six-game losing streak

Mar 1, 2026 | 8:43 AM

KAMLOOPS — Josh Evaschesen was the superhero the Kamloops Blazers needed as his 30th goal of the season helped them snap a six game losing streak Saturday (Feb. 28) night.

The Blazers beat the Vancouver Giants 4-3 on Be a Superhero night in support of Children’s Miracle Network at the Sandman Centre. The result leaves them in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 26-21-7-5 record, good for 64 points from 59 games.

“It’s huge to finally get that one,” Evaschesen – the game’s first-start said. “Losing six in a row isn’t our standard here so to finally get the train back on the track is huge.”

Misha Volotovskii opened the scoring for the Giants (21-35-1-2), who sit in last place in the Western Conference with 45 points from 59 games. He fired a shot from beside the net that somehow found its way past Logan Edmonstone just past the six minute mark of the opening period.

Ty Coupland levelled the score at 7:52 of the period as the two teams went into the locker room tied at 1-1.

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Ty Bonkowski and Vit Zahejsky also found the back of the net in the third period to put the Blazers up 3-1. Bonkowski found some space and roofed a shot past Burke Hood, while an unmarked Zahejsky struck in the first half of a four-minute power play to make it 3-1.

Just #27 doing his best Avenger impression 🛡️🚨 pic.twitter.com/TlayvBAl6g

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 1, 2026

In the second half of that power play, Evaschesan became the fourth Blazer to hit the 30 goal mark when he scored at 7:56 of the final frame. He trails teammates JP Hurlbert (36), Nathan Behm (34) and Tommy Lafreniere (33) in the goalscoring race.

Superhuman touch from Josh Evaschesen! 🧬 pic.twitter.com/dsWaMHXAAl

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 1, 2026

“I never expected [to hit that mark],” Evaschesen, who jumped from the Junior A ranks to the WHL this season added. “It’s an honour to play with these guys and get the opportunity to do that.”

The Giants weren’t done as both Ryan Lin and Sam Charko struck in a span of 1:39 to pull the visitors back to within one goal, but the Blazers were able to hold on for the 4-3 win.

“They made things interesting at the end there,” Coupland added post-game. “I though we did a good job managing the game and we kept it simple and we ended up getting the two points and didn’t let it get to overtime. Overall, a big game for us.”

Edmonstone made 30 saves on 33 shots to earn the win in net. Vancouver’s Burke Hood stopped 40 of 44 shots in a losing effort.

Evaschesen, Coupland, Bonkowski and Zahejsky all had multi-point nights as they all added an assist to go with their goals.

Kamloops is one point back of fifth place Spokane (32-26-1-0), and they’re four points clear of Portland (27-26-5-1) and Victoria (26-25-5-3). The Winterhawks and Royals have 60 points each, and they occupy the seventh and eighth playoff spot respectively.

The Blazers will look to keep the momentum going when they host the tenth place Seattle Thunderbirds (24-26-4-3) on Tuesday (March 3). That is the second game in the Blazers five-game homestand, with the puck scheduled to be dropped at 7:00 p.m.