(Image Credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers)

By Aaron Schulze

Americans 4 Blazers 2

Blazers can’t complete weekend sweep, fall to Americans 4-2

Jan 26, 2026 | 5:48 AM

KENNEWICK, WASH. — The Kamloops Blazers were unable to sweep their three-game U.S. road trip over the weekend, though they’re coming home with four out of a possible six points.

Following a 7-2 win in Wenatchee and a 5-2 win in Spokane the previous two nights, the Blazers dropped a 4-2 decision to the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick Sunday (Jan. 25).

Despite outshooting the Americans 31-19 after two periods, the Blazers found themselves trailing 2-0 on goals from Grady Martin and Jake Gudelj. Ty Bonkowski got the Blazers on the board nearly halfway through the third period when he redirected Harrison Brunicke’s pass from the right circle to make it 2-1.

The Americans had a timely response from Connor Dale 1:23 later to make it a 3-1 game. However, Vit Zahejsky fired home a wrist shot from the right circle just six seconds later to cut the deficit to 3-2. It was Zahejsky’s second goal in three games since returning from a broken leg.

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That would be as close as the Blazers would come though, as Charlie Elick added one more goal for the Americans to secure the 4-2 win. It moved Tri-City (24-17-3-1) past Kamloops in the WHL’s Western Conference standings with 52 points from 45 games.

The Blazers (21-15-5-4) have also played 45 games and they’re one point back of the Americans in fifth place in the conference, and third in the B.C. Division.

The Blazers return home Wednesday (Jan. 28) when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels to Sandman Centre for a 7:00 p.m. start.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Americans, Grady Martin (7) from Jaxen Adam and Crew Martinson, 2:28

Second Period

2-0, Americans, Jake Gudelj (7) from Connor Dale and Gavin Garland, 6:00

Third Period

2-1, Blazers, Ty Bonkowski (9) from Harrison Brunicke and Josh Evaschesen, 8:48

3-1, Americans, Connor Dale (18) from Savin Virk and Jakub Vanecek, 10:11

3-2, Blazers, Vit Zahejsky (2) from Cooper Moore, 10:17

4-2, Americans, Charlie Elick (6) from Grady Martin and David Krcal, 12:33

Goaltending

Xavier Wendt (W), Americans, 38 saves on 40 shots in 60 minutes played.

Ivans Kufterins (L), Blazers, 24 saves on 28 shots in 57:22 played.