Ryan Hughes, Connor Zary, and Zane Franklin all scored twice as the Kamloops Blazers offence came out firing early in a 7-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Blazers rushed out to a 3-0 lead for the third straight game – the goals coming on ten shots in an 8:44 span from Kyrell Sopotyk, Ryan Hughes, and Connor Zary. That was the end of the game for Mads Søgaard in the Tigers’ net,  as he was replaced by Garin Bjorklund for the rest of the way.

Medicine Hat got on the scoresheet through Jonathan Brinkman at 17:25, but Ryan Hughes countered just 16 seconds later to end the first period at 4-1.

The Tigers found the back of the net first in the second period, on a James Hamblin goal at 5:34 but Zary and Franklin responded to extend the Blazers’ lead to 6-2 after 40 minutes of hockey.

Franklin scored his second of the game in the third period, the only Blazer goal in the final 20 minutes of play in front of 4,833 fans. Tyler Preziuso beat Dylan Garand late on, but it would be no more than a consolation goal.

Orrin Centazzo, Max Martin, and Sean Strange all had two assists each on the night, while Franklin had helpers on two goals for a four point night of night own.

A 37 save night for Dylan Garand gave him his 11th win of the season. Søgaard and Bjorklund combined for 33 saves, Bjorklund was credited with the loss.

It was Military Appreciation night for the Blazers who were playing in commemorative jerseys as they returned to Sandman Centre for the first game in three weeks. It was also Head Coach Shaun Clouston’s first game against his old team, since being let go by the Tigers in May after 16 seasons with the franchise.

Next up for the Blazers is a home game against the Kelowna Rockets on Remembrance Day Monday. Puck drop is at 2 p.m., with the pre-game show on Radio NL at 1:30 p.m.