Jacob Dumansky celebrates his first WHL goal against the Victoria Royals on March 6, 2026. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

Blazers 8 Royals 2

Blazers allow season-low 16 shots in blowout win over Royals

Mar 7, 2026 | 9:40 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers erupted for four second period goals – and allowed just 16 shots on goal – en route to a 8-2 win over the Victoria Royals Friday (March 6) night at the Sandman Centre.

Tommy Lafreniere led the way with two goals and an assist while 17-year-old forward Jacob Dumansky scored his first-ever WHL goal in the lopsided win.

“I was pretty excited,” Dumansky said post-game. “I blacked out a little bit after I scored but yeah, I’m pretty excited about that one.”

It’s a first WHL goal for Jacob Dumansky! ☝️🎉 pic.twitter.com/v0NBxkOlv1

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 7, 2026

The Blazers fourth line of Dumansky, Logan Lanti, and Owen Cooper had a strong showing Friday night. Lanti netted his second WHL goal, while Cooper brought the crowd into the game following a first-period scrap with Victoria’s Cruz Waltze.

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“Yeah, it was a good feeling,” Lanti added. “Big for Dumansky. It’s been a long time and he’s had lots of chances. Good to see [Cooper] throw a couple punches there. I think he might have had him beat, but the ref got in the way a little bit.”

“I thought we were pretty big for the team,” Dumansky said of the effort of his linemates as the Blazers look to snap out of a funk. They’ve won just three of their last 10 games but remain in a playoff position as the end of the WHL regular season draws near.

The Blazers were up 2-0 after one period following goals from Lafreniere and JP Hurlbert – who snapped an eight-game goal scoring drought. Ty Coupland added to the lead midway in the second before Victoria got on the board with a short-handed goal scored by Hayden Moore.

Welcome to the 100 club, Coups! 💯 pic.twitter.com/pSwhr953UV

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 7, 2026

The floodgates then opened as goals from Vit Zahejsky, Lanti, and Jordan Keller had the Blazers up 6-1 after 40 minutes of action.

Lanti lights the lamp 🚨 pic.twitter.com/hIwT07qPRQ

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 7, 2026

Dumansky made it 7-1 early in the third period before Lafreniere rounded out Kamloops’ offense with his 35th of the season at 9:25.

Caleb Matthews scored a late consolation for Victoria after he deflected a point shot past Logan Edmonstone, who made 14 saves on 16 shots to pick up the win.

“The biggest thing today was to play smart defensively and get back to our structure and play the right way,” Lanti said of the defensive effort as the Blazers allowed a season-low 16 shots on goal. “It’s a big win, we really needed that going forward.”

Victoria’s Jake Pilon was in net for the entire game, and he stopped 37 of 45 shots in a losing effort.

The win moves Kamloops (27-22-7-5) back into fifth place in the Western Conference standings with 66 points from 61 games. Spokane (32-28-1-0) is one point behind in sixth, while Victoria (26-26-5-3) occupies the final playoff spot at the moment.

The Blazers are preparing to host the last-place Vancouver Giants (23-35-1-2) at Sandman Centre this evening. It’s Legends night as the Blazers will honour former goaltender Devan Dubnyk ahead of the scheduled 6:00 pm. puck drop.