Caedan Bankier's (No. 14) hat trick goal was the overtime winner against the Kelowna Rockets May 1 (Facebook/Kamloops Blazers).

By Aaron Schulze

Bankier to the Bank

Bankier scores hat trick, plays overtime hero as Blazers beat Rockets 4-3

May 2, 2021 | 7:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — Third time was the charm on Saturday (May 1) where instead of a blowout for either side, the Kamloops Blazers and Kelowna Rockets played a close, rivalry game.

After a scoreless first period, Caedan Bankier on the power play and Josh Pillar shorthanded gave the Blazers a 2-0 lead before the halfway mark of the second period.

But the Rockets’ special teams game fired back. David Kope and Alex Swetlikoff scored back-to-back power play goals to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third.

Bankier started the third period like he died the second period: an early power play goal to give the Blazers a lead. However, Kope scored his second of the game for the Rockets to tie it 3-3.

For only the second time in the B.C. Western Hockey League (WHL) Hub, the Blazers went to overtime.

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With 13 seconds remaining in the extra five-minute frame, Bankier gained the offensive zone and cut to his forehand for his third goal of the game, and the game winner.

The Blazers improved to 13-4 in the shortened WHL season, good for 26 points in 17 games. On total points, Kamloops is first in the B.C. Hub, six points ahead of the Vancouver Giants and nine ahead of the Rockets.

On point percentage, however, the Rockets are still slightly ahead. Kelowna’s 0.773 percentage (17 points in 11 games) is good for first, while Kamloops’ 0.765 percentage is second.

The Blazers are off until Monday (May 3) when they play the Victoria Royals at the Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

1-0, Blazers, Caedan Bankier (6) from Josh Pillar and Inaki Baragano (power play), 3:45

2-0, Blazers, Josh Pillar (9) unassisted (shorthanded), 9:23

2-1, Rockets, David Kope (4) from Alex Swetlikoff and Sean Comrie (power play), 11:09

2-2, Rockets, Alex Swetlikoff (4) from Trevor Wong and David Kope (power play), 17:43

Third Period

3-2, Blazers, Caedan Bankier 2 (7) from Inaki Baragano and Connor Levis (power play), 2:38

3-3, David Kope 2 (5) from Mark Liwiski, 8:59

Overtime

4-3, Blazers, Caedan Bankier 3 (8) from Montana Onyebuchi, 4:47

Goaltending

Blazers, Dylan Garand (W), 35 saves on 38 shots in 65 minutes played.

Rockets, Roman Basron (OTL), 30 saves on 34 shots in 65 minutes played.

Stankoven Watch

Kamloops local and Blazers center Logan Stankoven and Team Canada finished a perfect 4-0 in round robin play at the U-18 World Hockey Championship in Texas.

Canada beat Belarus 5-2, although Stankoven was held off the scoresheet.

Stankoven finished round robin play with five points (two goals and three assists) in four games played, good for a tie for fifth in Team Canada scoring.

Canada will play the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals Monday (May 3) at 1 p.m.