Cooper Moore vs. Harrison Boettiger (Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

By Marty Hastings

Boettiger formidable

Scoring woes plaguing Blazers early in series against Rockets

Mar 30, 2026 | 4:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — Nerves, a stingy goaltender and solid systemic defence are factoring into the Kamloops Blazers’ scoring woes. 

That was the message from players and head coach Shaun Clouston on Monday (March 30), with the Blazers trailing the Kelowna Rockets 2-0 in their best-of-seven WHL Western Conference quarter-final series. 

“There are point-blank shots where if certain players are feeling it and not stressing out, those just go in,” Clouston said. “I think some guys are feeling the pressure.” 

Hometown Kelowna bested Kamloops 3-1 on Friday and 5-1 on Saturday.

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The Blazers are scheduled to host the third and fourth games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, with game time set for 7:00 p.m. both nights at Sandman Centre.

Rockets’ netminder Harrison Boettiger is boosting his NHL Draft stock, with a sparkling . 962 save percentage after two games. 

“Obviously, he’s been really good,” said Blazers’ forward Jordan Keller, who with one point, an assist, is tied for the team lead in playoff scoring. “He’s a great goalie, but a lot of it has to do with us and our offence. We need more traffic. We need to get more pucks through.” 

Kelowna is defending well in front of its own net and in the middle of the ice, said Clouston.

“Frustration’s been around, but we’ve got to focus on the next game,” Keller said. “We’re back at home. The series is just getting started.” 

Clouston said the first 15 minutes of Game 2 on Saturday in Kelowna marked an amazing stretch for his club, but efforts were fruitless and Kelowna struck first, a deflating goal for the visitors. 

“We had some opportunities to put the puck in the net,” Clouston said. “It didn’t go in and things completely changed. It takes a lot to be in it mentally, emotionally, physically for 60 minutes, but that’s what it takes.” 

J.P. Hurlbert’s solo-effort goal on Saturday and the emergence of Jacob Dumansky, who turned 17 in January, are among the few offensive highlights for Kamloops through two games. 

“To have Dumer be able to embrace the situation and be effective and compete at this level is just awesome to see,” Clouston said. 

Added Dumansky: “I’ve just been more physical and getting more confident with the puck. I think that helps a lot. In playoffs, we try to bring lots of energy. I’m trying to create some energy by hitting people and playing simple.” 

The Blazers need to create more offence if they intend to stretch the series past four games. Perhaps the first home playoff crowd in three years can help spur momentum. 

“It’s a weekday game, so a lot of people have work the next day, but it would just be awesome to see this place bumping and it just gives us energy,” forward Josh Evaschesen said. 

“Right now, we’re gripping the stick a bit tight and I think as the games go on, they’ll go in for us.”