It was a Monday afternoon to remember for the Kamloops Blazers as they beat the Kelowna Rockets 5-2 at Sandman Centre, extending their win streak over their Okanagan rival to ten games, including the 2019/20 preseason.
Wearing their commemorative Remembrance Day jerseys for the second time in three days, the Blazers opened the scoring for the fourth straight game when Orrin Centazzo got the home team on the board at 9:08 in the first period.
The Blazers would double their lead at 6:11 in the second on Matthew Seminoff’s first WHL goal scored unassisted, but the Rockets cut the lead in half on a Nolan Foote tip-in past Dylan Garand at 12:42.
Kamloops responded three minutes later, with two goals in 54 seconds past Roman Basran, who came on in relief of Cole Schwebius, first from Connor Zary and then Ryley Appelt.
The second period ended on a sour note as a Pavel Novak check from behind sent Kyrell Sopotyk head first into the boards. The Aberdeen, SK native was slow to get up and did not return for the third period. Novak was assessed major penalty and an automatic game misconduct.
Centazzo scored his second of the night at 3:11 in the third period, to give the high-flying Blazers their fourth straight game with at least five goals. They’ve scored 25 goals in those four games, and are third in the WHL for goals scored with 76 in 19 games, behind only Lethbridge (77 in 21 games) and Medicine Hat (79 in 19 games).
Mark Liwiski also got on the scoresheet for the Rockets with a consolation goal at 14:56 in the third, which had to be reviewed as the goalpost came off its moorings.
Fresh off a four point night Saturday against Medicine Hat, Blazers captain Zane Franklin led the way with three assists, while Ryan Hughes, Connor Zary, Kyrell Sopotyk, and Brodi Stuart all had an assist each.
In the Blazers net, Dylan Garand made 25 saves for his second win of the weekend, while Schwebius (17 on 19 shots) and Basran (11 on 14 shots) combined for 28 saves in a losing effort.
With the win, the Blazers improve to 13-6 on the season, and sit top of the BC Division with 26 points. The Vancouver Giants are second with 22 points in 20 games, and the Rockets are third with 20 points in 19 games.
Next up for the Blazers is a home game against the Prince George Cougars on Friday night. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.
Photo via Kamloops Blazers
