By Adam Donnelly

Another disappointing loss for the Blazers, as the Rockets create space in the standings

Feb 9, 2019 | 9:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a solid 3rd period for the home team Saturday night, but the pushback came too late for the Kamloops Blazers as the visiting Kelowna Rockets headed home with a 4-1 road victory.

The Blazers came into Saturday’s game with the opportunity to move within two points of the Rockets in the BC Division standing, as well as keep pace with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the race for the Western Conference Wild Card.

The loss moved Kelowna six points up on the Blazers. Seattle beat Medicine Hat 4-3 in overtime, moving the T-Birds three points up on Kamloops.

Blazers Head Coach Serge Lajoie said after the game that his team didn’t match the Rockets effort through the first two periods on Saturday.

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“Seems like the theme of the weekend is disappointed,” Lajoie said. “We needed more of what we saw in the third period – we needed that for a full 60. Those are things players in the dressing room are recognizing, and the leadership needs to reinforce that message that we can’t wait to get ourselves going.”

Lassi Thompson had a three-point night for the Rockets (2g, 1a). Kyle Topping and Alex Swetlikoff each had a pair of assists for Kelowna who outshot the Blazers 28-15 through the first two periods. Jermaine Loewen had the lone goal for the Blazers, notching his 20th of the season.

Rockets G Roman Basran stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced, while Dylan Ferguson continued his solid play for the Blazers, making 30 saves on 33 shots.

With 16 games remaining, the Blazers have 45 points and sit fourth in the BC Division. They’ll host Victoria at Sandman Centre on Wednesday night (Feb 13).