By Colton Davies - Kamloops Blazers

Blazers down Rockets 5-1, series tied 2-2

Mar 31, 2016 | 12:27 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers evened up their series with Kelowna once again on Wednesday night, downing the Rockets 5-1 at the Sandman Centre.

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Kamloops jumped out to a 2-0 lead with two goals in the first 5:02 of the opening frame. Dallas Valentine opened the scoring at 3:55, and Quinn Benjafield doubled the lead 1:07 later.

Kelowna struck back just over 10 minutes later on a goal from Calvin Thurkauf. However, the Blazers regained their two-goal lead 2:42 later, thanks to Collin Shirley’s first of two goals on the night.

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Matt Revel scored the lone goal in the middle frame at 7:58, tapping in a rebound that trickled behind Rockets goalie Michael Herringer. Herringer was pulled in favor of Brodan Salmond to start the third period.

Shirley would pull down the curtains on game four with a goal at 13:33 of the third, on a centering pass that went off a Rockets’ skate and beat Salmond.

After leading for only 4.8 seconds in the series’ first three games combined, the Blazers were ahead for a total of 56:05 in game four.

“I think for us to find a way to score goals, find a way to get to the net… we played a real solid game in game four here,” Blazers Head Coach Don Hay said. “I thought the third goal was a very important goal for us, they had made it 2-1 and that gave us a little more breathing room going into the second.”

Game four had all the emotion you would expect in a tight playoff series. The teams combined for 56 penalty minutes in a game that featured three fights – two coming within the final four minutes of the third period.

Hay talked about the Blazers ability to stick to their game plan.

“I thought the third was a real good period for us; we did a good job defending while still being able to make good plays,” Hay said. “I thought we were able to look after the puck and manage the puck and end up in the offensive zone.”

Connor Ingram was up to his usual tricks, making 37 saves on the night en route to being named the game’s first star.

“I think Connor is playing very well; 5-on-5 or the penalty kill, he’s been outstanding for us in the net there,” Hay said.

Game five of the Blazers first round series goes Friday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

For tickets to game six of the Kamloops Blazers first round series against the Kelowna Rockets at the Sandman Centre, call the Blazers box office at 250-828-3339, or drop by any day between 9am-5pm. Also, click here to purchase online through Ticketmaster.