By Adam Donnelly

Blazers can’t stop rolling Raiders

Jan 18, 2019 | 9:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — The result on the ice was what the pre-game notes suggested – the Prince Albert Raiders, the top-ranked team in the CHL came into Kamloops and handed the Blazers their 6th consecutive loss by a 4-1 score.

While few expected Kamloops to prevail against a team with just five regulation losses in 45 contests, the Blazers hung with Prince Albert through 41 minutes of play, staying within striking distance.

Brett Leason led the way for the Raiders, notching his 31st goal of the year just 28 seconds into the contest.

The Blazers would equalize less than five and half minutes later, on Kamloops kid Jackson Caller’s 3rd of year and first wearing the Blazer “B” on his chest.

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Ozzy Weisblatt would put Prince Albert up by one 9 minutes later, as he deflected the Cole Fonstad shot past Dylan Garand.

The Blazers would battle hard from that point but were unable to beat Raiders starting netminder Boston Bilous for the equalizer. Bilous stopped 29 of 30 in a winning effort.

“We put Bilous under siege a few times, we had some great chances,” Blazers Head Coach Serge Lajoie said after the loss. “For me as a coach, I thought our guys executed, were predictable, and I thought that the work ethic was there.”

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The Raiders found the insurance goal just a minute into the third period. Former Victoria Royal Dante Hannoun got credit for his 21st of the season, as Max Martin’s point shot found it’s way past Garand.

Prince Albert put the game out of reach at the 15:40 mark of the final frame, as big Justin Nachbaur tipped home the feed from Leason.

Garand was solid in a losing effort, making 22 saves, many of the difficult variety against a high powered PA offence.

The Blazers head north for a pair against the Prince George Cougars Saturday and Sunday, a team they trail by just two points in the BC Division standings.