Photo via Allen Douglas
The Kamloops Blazers came up short in their 2022-23 home opener, falling 3-0 to the Portland Winterhawks Friday night.
Dylan Ernst stopped 35 shots in goal in the loss but the Blazers, who were missing six key players, were unable to muster any scoring despite having five power play chances.
The Winterhawks capitalized on their only powerplay of the night, when Gabe Klassen opened the scoring 94 seconds into the first period.
Marcus Nguyen doubled Portland’s lead at 5:52 in the second period while Klassen scored his second of the game at 17:14 in the third.
Portland goaltender Dante Gianuzzi held on for a 24 save shutout as the Blazers mustered some good chances late in the third period.
Four Blazers – Aapo Sarell, Conner Radke, Nathan Behm, and Rylan Pearce – all played their first WHL games Friday night.
The Blazers will play in Spokane next Saturday, Oct. 1. Their next home game is not until Oct. 7, when the Victoria Royals come to Sandman Centre.
