(Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoore/Kelowna Rockets)

By Victor Kaisar

Blazers 3 Rockets 2 SO

Blazers edge Rockets in first shootout win of 2025-26 WHL season

Jan 3, 2026 | 9:00 AM

KELOWNA — Nathan Behm and Josh Evaschesen scored in regulation and in the shootout to lift the Kamloops Blazers to a 3-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets Friday (Jan. 2) night at Prospera Place.

Logan Edmonstone made 41 saves for the Blazers as they finally won a shootout this season after four previous attempts ended in defeat. The result keeps the 17-13-3-4 Blazers in fourth place in the WHL’s Western Conference, while the 17-13-3-2 Rockets are two points behind in seventh place.

“It was pretty cool. It was a close game all along but I think it was good for us to get the win,” Behm said post-game. “It’s always fun to win here. First shootout win of the year and I think we’re confident now that we can with another one.”

It was Kelowna that struck first Friday night as Hayden Paupanekis had the puck in the net just 50 seconds into the opening period of the first of six regular season meetings between these longtime BC Division rivals.

The Blazers fired a game-high 20 shots on Josh Banini in the first period but the Rockets goaltender was beaten just once after Evaschesen tipped home a Kayd Ruedig shot from the blueline at 12:21 for his 16th goal of the season.

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Evaschesen’s got the magic touch! 🪄🚨 pic.twitter.com/L0b8TKOcIV

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 3, 2026

Nathan Behm gave the Blazers the lead at 6:30 of the second period after he drove to the net and beat Banini with a back handed shot as the goal was inadvertently knocked off its peg by Rockets blueliner Rowan Guest.

Nothing but shelf for Backhander Behmer 🔝🥅 pic.twitter.com/KJnc6BQ2nI

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 3, 2026

JP Hurlbert nearly made it 3-1 but his breakaway attempt was stifled by Banini, who finished with 38 saves on the night. The Rockets tied it seconds later at 13:53 of the middle period when Hiroki Gojsic beat Edmonstone with a sharp angle shot on the resulting breakaway.

In the shootout, Behm had the Blazers on the cusp of victory, though Shane Smith scored to keep the Rockets alive. Evaschesen put the puck though Banini’s legs to restore the Blazers lead before Edmonstone denied Will Sharp to give Kamloops the extra point.

“It felt great. I thought I’d try five-hole and it ended up working,” Evaschesen said of his shootout attempt. “[Edmonstone] was unreal for us, he made a lot of huge saves and kept us in the game to be honest.”

What White, Blue & Orange and never gets old?
This 👇 pic.twitter.com/Kc2aMIJvpg

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 3, 2026

The Blazers have now won three of four games following the WHL’s holiday break. They’ll rematch with the Rockets at 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening on jersey night at the Sandman Centre.