(Image Credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers)
Blazers 3 Hitmen 2 SO

Blazers defeat Hitmen 3-2 in a shootout during final Saddledome visit

Nov 2, 2026 | 5:07 AM

CALGARY — The Kamloops Blazers galloped on through during their final trip to the Saddledome in Calgary. 

After beginning their three-game Alberta road trip with a victory in Edmonton, the Blazers defeated the Calgary Hitmen on the road Sunday (Nov. 1) 3-2 in a shootout. 

Eli Tverdovsky’s pass up the middle went off a Hitmen skate and in to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead nearly halfway through the game, although the Hitmen would answer back later in the second period. 

The Blazers retook the lead on an improbable occasion. On a Hitmen power play, a pass to the point went outside the Blazers zone. Gavin Nemis was first to get on it, and he passed to Calgary-native Owen Cooper on the rush to give the Blazers a shorthanded goal and a 2-1 lead. 

However, the Hitmen scored on the rush themselves and tied the game 2-2. Overtime wouldn’t determine a winner. 

Blazers goaltender Logan Edmonstone stopped all three Hitmen shootout attempts, on top of the 30 saves he made in regulation. River Arnason scored the lone shootout goal by cutting to the middle and scoring on a forehand deke. 

The Blazers improved to 9-4-2-0 in the 2026-27 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 20 points in 15 games. They’re second in the B.C. Division, trailing the Vancouver Giants by one point with one game in hand, and third in the WHL Western Conference. 

The Blazers conclude their Alberta road trip Tuesday (Nov. 3) in Red Deer against the Central Division leading Rebels. The Blazers return to Kamloops Friday (Nov. 6) when they welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to Sandman Centre at 7:00 p.m. 

Scoring Summary 

First Period 

No scoring. 

Second Period 

1-0, Blazers, Eli Tverdovsky (4) from Owen Cooper, 6:45 

1-1, Hitmen, Julien Maze (6) unassisted, 14:44 

Third Period 

2-1, Blazers, Owen Cooper (2) from Gavin Nemis (shorthanded), 4:33 

2-2, Hitmen, Grady Anaka (5) from Carter Sanderson and Hunter Aura, 12:41 

Overtime 

No scoring. 

Shootout – Hitmen 

Artem Katsuro, miss 

Julien Maze, miss 

Grady Anaka, miss 

Shootout – Blazers 

Vit Zahejsky, miss 

Ty Bonkowski, miss 

River Arnason, goal 

Goaltending 

Logan Edmonstone (W), Blazers, 30 saves on 32 shots in 65 minutes played. 

Aidan Hesse (SOL), Hitmen, 45 saves on 47 shots in 65 minutes played.