Image credit: Facebook/Kamloops Blazers

By Aaron Schulze

Cougars 5 Blazers 3

Blazers can’t hang on to lead, fall to Cougars 5-3

Feb 5, 2024 | 6:48 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers could not hang on to a lead heading into the third period as they fell to the Prince George Cougars Sunday (Feb. 4) 5-3.

After surrendering the first two goals of the game, the Blazers scored three unanswered. Emmitt Finne wrist the puck home off the rush and Max Sullivan’s pass deflected off a Cougars skate and in to end the second period, then Ryan Michael got a shot through from the point in the second to give the Blazers a 3-2 lead heading into the third.

However, the Blazers were outshot by the Cougars 14-5 and ultimately outscored 3-0 in the final frame en route to the 5-3 loss. Blazers goaltender Jesse Sanche made 31 saves in the effort.

The Blazers fall to 14-29-3-2 on the 2023-24 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 33 points in 48 games. They remain at the bottom of the overall WHL standings and are nine points out of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

Next up for the Blazers is a home game Wednesday (Feb. 7) against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Sandman Centre.

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Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Cougars, Zac Funk (45) from Keaton Dowhaniuk and Ondrej Becher, 8:00

2-0, Cougars, Bauer Dumanski (6) from Ondrej Becher, 11:11

2-1, Blazers, Emmitt Finnie (9) from Jordan Keller and Vojtech Vochvest, 16:09

2-2, Blazers, Max Sullivan (2) from Matteo Koci, 17:56

Second Period

3-2, Blazers, Ryan Michael (2) from Jordan Keller, 13:54

Third Period

3-3, Cougars, Carlin Dezainde (16) from Chase Pauls and Keaton Dowhaniuk, 5:37

4-3, Cougars, Carlin Dezainde 2 (17) from Terik Parascak, 9:29

5-3, Cougas, Zac Funk 2 (46) from Borya Valis and Keaton Dowhaniuk, 10:10

Goaltending

Joshua Ravensbergen (W), Cougars, 11 saves on 14 shots in 60 minutes played.

Jesse Sanche (L), Blazers, 31 saves on 36 shots in 59 minutes played.