Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Blazers 4 Thunderbirds 1

Blazers grind down Thunderbirds in 4-1 win; trail conference final series 2-1

May 3, 2023 | 6:44 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers remain down in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Western Conference Final series, but they are certainly not out.

The Blazers grinded down and beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1 Tuesday (May 2) night in front of 5,238 fans in Sandman Centre.

The Blazers opened the scoring on the power play in the first period as Olen Zellweger’s shot from the point found a way through thanks to some net-front work by Daylan Kuefler.

While the Thunderbirds responded just under two minutes later, the Blazers would exit the first period with a 2-1 lead. Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic couldn’t find the puck after failing to cover it up, and Jakub Demek shuffled it through a Thunderbirds skater and in.

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The second period was scoreless, although not from a lack of effort. Both Milic and Blazers goaltender Dylan Ernst stopped numerous Grade A scoring chances, with the most preposterous being Ernst keeping a puck that deflected off the end boards and his back out of the net.

Hanging on to a one-goal lead in the third period, the Blazers only surrendered six shots on net. Ryan Hofer skated the puck into an empty net and Matthew Seminoff scored for good measure to secure the 4-1 win.

The Blazers trail the best-of-seven WHL Western Conference Final series 2-1. Game four is Thursday from Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blazers, Olen Zellweger (10) from Logan Stankoven and Caedan Bankier (power play), 8:29

1-1, Thunderbirds, Nolan Allan (2) from Sawyer Mynio and Gracyn Sawchyn, 10:00

2-1, Blazers, Jakub Demek (4) from Ryan Hofer and Olen Zellweger, 17:43

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

3-1, Blazers, Ryan Hofer (6) from Fraser Minten and Olen Zellweger (empty net), 18:53

4-1, Blazers, Matthew Seminoff (6) from Kyle Masters and Logan Stankoven, 19:18

Goaltending

Dylan Ernst (W), Blazers, 22 saves on 23 shots in 60 minutes played.

Thomas Milic (L), Thunderbirds, 35 saves on 38 shots in 59 minutes played.