Jakub Demek fires a shot at net against the Kelowna Rockets on March 3, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Logan Bairos had a Gordie Howe hattrick as the Kamloops Blazers trounced the Kelowna Rockets 8-1, in their first game back at Sandman Centre in nearly three weeks.
The Blazers had eight different goal scorers, including Jakub Demek who scored his first since being acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings in November.
“It was awesome for me to play my first game at Sandman Centre and score a goal,” Demek, who made his long-awaited Blazers debut in Edmonton last month said.
“It was awesome from [the fans]. They cheered so loud for me and for the team so it was a very nice moment.”
Kamloops… meet Jakub Demek
@GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/kqKNK5LAvW
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 4, 2023
Goals from Logan Stankoven, Matthew Seminoff, Bairos, and Demek in a 9:40 span in the first period had the Blazers cruising at 4-0 after 20 minutes of action.
Caedan Bankier and Ryan Hofer – both fresh off signing NHL entry-level contracts – made it 6-0 after the second period.
Absolutely disgusting (but in a very good way), Caedan. @blazerhockey | @mnwild pic.twitter.com/86kRLpPvx6
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 4, 2023
Two days after signing an NHL Contract with the @Capitals, Hof is back to work
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 4, 2023
Ethan Neutens tallied the lone Rockets marker in the third period – his first WHL goal – before Connor Levis and Ryan Michael rounded out the scoring Friday night.
Dylan Ernst made 21 saves for his WHL-leading 33rd of the season in the Blazers net.
Talyn Boyko gave up four goals on 19 shots in the first period before Jari Kykkanen came on in relief, allowing four goals on 34 shots.
The Blazers have won 12 of their last 13 games going back to February, leaving them one point away from clinching a fourth straight B.C. Division title.
One point is all the @blazerhockey need Saturday to clinch the B.C. Division title. pic.twitter.com/tlJWh1pGFB
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 4, 2023
They can clinch it Saturday night as the two teams rematch at Prospera Place in Kelowna in a 7:05 puck drop.
The Blazers are 5-2 in the season series against the Rockets, with both of those losses coming in Kelowna.
