Blazers vs Giants May 6 (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)
BLAZERS 3 GIANTS 1

Blazers top Giants 3-1 in game one of second-round

May 7, 2022 | 9:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers are now up 1-0 in their second-round playoff series against the Vancouver Giants on Friday (May 6).

Winning 3-1 at home, the Blazers have now won all of their five playoff games in 2022.

Caedan Bankier was able to notch a goal and an assist to lead the Blazers with Reese Belton and Ethan Rowland each adding a goal themselves.

Blazers goalie Dylan Garand only allowed one goal from the 31 Giants shots.

The Giants on the other hand recently came off of their series win over the Western conference-leading Everett Silvertips in the first round.

Giants rookie goalie Jesper Vikman saved 35 shots of the total 38 from the Blazers showing true potential going forward in the series.

However, Kamloops won the season series during the regular season against Vancouver 10-1-1 and are confident they can win a best-of-seven series against one of their B.C. Division foes.

Leading by one game, the Blazers and Giants square off once again Saturday (May 7) at the Sandman Centre, puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Game summary:

First period

1-0, Blazers, Caedan Bankier from Luke Toporowski, Quinn Schmiemann 18:28

Second period

2-0, Blazers, Reese Belton from Caedan Bankier, Dylan Sydor 2:43

3-0, Blazers, Ethan Rowland from Logan Stankoven, Mats Lindgren, 16:29

Third period

1-3, Giants, Adam Hall from Damian Palmieri, Zack Ostapchuk, 7:04

Goaltending

Dylan Garand (W), Blazers, 30 saves on 31 shots in 60 minutes played.

Jesper Vikman (L), Giants, 35 saves on 38 shots in 59 minutes played.