The Kamloops Blazers scored five unanswered goals, including three in the second period, en route to a 5-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs Wednesday night.
It was the Blazers first win over the Chiefs this season, and it helped them snap a three game losing streak in the process.
Kalan Anderlini scored his first WHL on the night, as Jordan Keller (2), Logan Bairos, and Zach Pantelakis also found the back of the net for the Blazers.
“It was awesome. I was just skating down and the puck popped out. I whacked it, and it happened to go in,” Anderlini said post-game. “I couldn’t believe it. I just jumped up. I didn’t know. I blacked out.”
There it is! His first WHL goal! 🚨 Congrats Kalan! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/UUcMqMRMcc
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 29, 2024
Lukáš Král opened the scoring for the Chiefs in the fifth and final meeting of the season between these two WHL franchises. Keller’s first of the night with 4.7 seconds to play in the first period tied the game up at 1-1.
Keller’s power play marker came after Nathan Mayes was called for a Closing Hand On Puck penalty in the final minute of the opening period.
BEAT THE CLOCK! ⏰ pic.twitter.com/4bho7INNfv
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 29, 2024
The Blazers then scored another four unanswered goals, through Bairos, Pantelakis, and Anderlini in the second period, before Keller’s second of the night six minutes into the third period.
ZACH WITH THE SNIPE! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UaD6if39lW
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 29, 2024
The Chiefs got a late consolation goal from Conner Roulette but it was too little, too late, as they drop to a 24-28-4-1 record. The Chiefs still cling to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, six points ahead of the Tri-City Americans with 11 games to play.
Dylan Ernst made 29 saves on 31 shots to pick up the win Wednesday night. Dawson Cowan was the far busier goaltender as he made 43 saves on 48 Blazers’ shots in a losing effort.
Shea Van Olm was held scoreless in his return to Kamloops following his trade to Spokane in January. Kamloops native Carter Streek was also held scoreless, as he continues to search for his first WHL point in his hometown.
The Blazers improve to 19-33-3-3, which is good for 44 points in 58 games. They’re tied with the Seattle Thunderbirds (21-34-2-0) at the bottom of the WHL standings, though Seattle has played 57 games to Kamloops’ 58.
Those two teams will rematch at Sandman Centre Friday night, with the Blazers also set to host the Vancouver Giants on Saturday.