Image Credit: Portland Winterhawks

By Victor Kaisar

Winterhawks 4 Blazers 3 SO

Comeback bid falls short as Blazers lose 11-round shootout to Portland Winterhawks

Nov 2, 2025 | 8:08 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers kicked off a three game U.S. road trip with a 4-3 defeat to the Portland Winterhawks after an 11-round shootout thriller Saturday (Nov. 1) night.

Kyle McDonough, who scored the eventual winner, was one of just three players to find the back of the net in the marathon shootout. Portland’s Sam Spehar and Kamloops’ Isa Guram were the others who found twine when they struck in the ninth round.

The Winterhawks found themselves up 3-0 in the first period courtesy a goal from Reed Brown (on the power play) and a pair from Will McLaughlin and Alex Weiermaier 15 seconds apart.

A shorthanded Blazers team got on the board late in the opening period as Josh Evaschesen scored with a backhanded shot that beat Ondrej Štěbeták at 18:51.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

15h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

Question of the Week

Will the amount of money you spend on Christmas be more or less than last year?

Dec 01, 2025

The Blazers found a way back into the game in the second period as both Ty Bonkowski and Tommy Lafreniere beat Štěbeták to make it a 3-3 affair. Former Winterhawk Kayd Ruedig picked up the assist on Lafreniere’s goal in his return to Portland.

The shootout defeat means the Blazers are now 6-7-1-2 this season and they sit eighth in the Western Conference. The Winterhawks are 9-6 and they’re in third place at the moment.

Blazers netminder Logan Edmonstone stopped 27 of 30 shots in a losing effort, while Štěbeták stopped 43 of 46 shots to earn the win.

The Blazers continue on the road as they’re set to play the Wenatchee Wild at 4:00 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 3) afternoon. Their next home game is this Saturday (Nov. 8) against the Everett Silvertips.