Jordan Keller scored his first two goals as a Kamloops Blazers but it wasn’t enough as the Regina Pats came away with a 6-4 win Friday.

Andrew Thomson and Connor Levis also found the back of the net for the Blazers who were playing the first game of their five-game eastern swing.

Goals from Logan Peskett and Merritt native Jaxsin Vaughan had the Pats up 2-0 early in the second before Thomson pulled one back with his seventh goal of the season, just past the two minute mark of the period.

Keller then tied the game three minutes later, but the Pats responded with three consecutive goals from former Blazer Tye Spencer as well as Brayden Barnett and Borya Valis to lead 5-2 early in the third period.

KELLER GETS HIS FIRST AS A BLAZER! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/V75BcO1NxR

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 9, 2023

Not to be outdone, Levis at 3:38 of the period and Keller at 9:16, brought the Blazers back to within one midway through the period, but Kamloops couldn’t find a second tying goal at the Brandt Centre.

A Tanner Howe empty netter in the dying seconds restored the Pats’ two goal lead and gave two points on the night.

Weyburn, Sask. native Dylan Ernst made 25 saves on 30 shots in a losing effort in what was the closest to a home game for the Blazers goaltender. Kelton Pyne stopped 28 of 32 Kamloops shots to earn the win for Regina.

The loss drops the Blazers to 7-17-3-2 on the season, which still leaves them in last place in the WHL’s Western Conference. The Pats improved to 12-15-1-1, to sit second-last in the Eastern Conference.

The Blazers will head into Manitoba to face the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday night before stops in Prince Albert on Tuesday, Saskatoon on Wednesday, and Moose Jaw on Friday.

Their next home game will be on Dec. 27, when the Kelowna Rockets stop by Sandman Centre for the first game of the season between the two B.C. Interior rivals.