Ryan Hofer celebrating one of his three goals against the Prince Albert Raiders on Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Ryan Hofer led the way with a hattrick and an assist as the Kamloops Blazers beat the Prince Albert Raiders 6-4 on Friday night.
Connor Levis, Daylan Kuefler, and Caedan Bankier also found the back of the net for the Blazers while Eric Johnston, Carter Anderson, Landon Kosior, and Brayden Dube scored for the Raiders.
The Blazers ran out to an early 2-0 lead early before three unanswered Raiders goals had the visitors up 3-2 after the first period.
And it’s all tied up, Hofer scores his second of the game to make it 3-3 🔥#whl #blazernation pic.twitter.com/szpLZrzRnv
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 4, 2023
The Blazers would again trail 4-3 in the second period and only took the lead for good in the third with Hofer’s hattrick goal – his second of the season and first as a Blazer – sending a packed Sandman Centre into a frenzy.
Hofer’s Hat-Trick goal comes at a crucial time, putting us up 5-4 with 11 minutes to play 🔥🔥#whl #blazernation pic.twitter.com/yIUBgNzj0c
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 4, 2023
Bankier scored an insurance goal with about six minutes left as the Blazers improved to 29-10-4-2 on the season.
Logan Stankoven had the primary assist on Bankier’s goal to extend his point streak to a league leading 31 games as Regina forward Connor Bedard was kept off the scoresheet in Lethbridge Friday night, bringing his point streak to an end at 35 games.
Bank$ getting on the scoresheet 🔥🔥 @Caedan_Bankier puts it home to give us a 2 goal lead with 5 minutes left.#whl #blazernation pic.twitter.com/2wvUsAIvfk
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 4, 2023
Dylan Ernst turned aside 22 of the 26 shots he faced to earn his league leading 26th win of the season, while Tikhon Chaika stopped 33 of 39 Blazers shots in a losing effort.
With win number 527, Blazers Head Coach and GM, Shaun Clouston moved into eighth on the WHL coaching wins list passing Brent Sutter. He trails Ernie McLean who had 548 wins in 16 seasons with the Estevan Bruins and New Westminster Bruins prior to the franchise moving to Kamloops to become the Junior Oilers.
. @ShaunClouston moves into 8th all-time on the @thewhl Coaching wins list with # 527! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/gctqE3M6al
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 4, 2023
Next up for the Blazers is a road game in Langley against the Vancouver Giants on Saturday followed by a 5 p.m. home game against the Victoria Royals on Sunday.
