(Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers).
Thunderbirds 2 Blazers 1 OT

Blazers fall to Thunders 2-1 in overtime

Nov 10, 2022 | 6:29 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers welcomed the Seattle Thunderbirds back to Sandman Centre for the first time since losing to them in last year’s Western Hockey League (WHL) Western Conference Final.

However, the Blazers once again winded up on the losing end, falling to the Thunderbirds Wednesday (Nov. 9) night 2-1 in overtime.

Caedan Bankier opened the scoring for the Blazers late in the first period, putting the puck past Seattle goaltender Thomas Milic on his backhand in a Peter Forsberg fashion.

The Thunderbirds responded early in the second period and the game would remain deadlocked at 1-1 going into overtime. Although Logan Stankoven was stopped on a potential game winning goal in the final seconds of regulation.

That would be the closest the Blazers would come in securing the win, as Reid Schaefer was left alone in front on the game winning goal in 3-on-3 overtime.

The Blazers picked up a point in their defeat, but their record falls to 7-4-2-1 on the 2022-23 WHL season, good for 17 points in 14 games. The Blazers are second in the B.C. Division and fifth in the Western Conference.

Next up is a Saturday (Nov. 12) home game against the Kelowna Rockets. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Sandman Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Caedan Bankier (10) from Logan Stankoven and Matthew Seminoff, 18:26

Second Period

1-1, Thunderbirds, Sam Popowich (3) from Reid Schaefer (shorthanded), 1:19

Third Period

No scoring.

Goaltending

Thomas Milic (W), Thunderbirds, 38 saves on 39 shots in 61 minutes played.

Dylan Ernst (OTL), Blazers, 27 saves on 29 shots in 61 minutes played.