Jordan Keller and Logan Bairos had a goal and an assist each as the Kamloops Blazers beat the Vancouver Giants 3-2 at Sandman Centre Saturday night.
Matteo Koci scored the other goal for the Blazers, who fired 47 shots on goal en route to their 20th win of the season.
The Blazers also evened up the season series against their B.C. Division rivals with their third win in six games, with two games left to play.
“We didn’t play our best the game before so we knew we had to come out and have a lot of effort, so that’s exactly what we did,” Bairos, who was named the first star on the night said post-game.
“It’s really nice, and in terms of the shots that we had, that was a goal for our team. Our goal was 36 so we surpassed that. It’s nice as a team when you get the goals that you set. Individually as well, and I’m pretty happy for it.”
Keller, who was named second star, and Samuel Honzek traded power play markers in the first period as the two B.C. Division rivals headed back to the locker room tied at 1-1.
A man on a mission 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6gbocbjfX6
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 3, 2024
The Blazers retook the lead in the second period thanks to goals from Bairos in the opening minute and Koci at 17:29.
CAPTAIN 🧑✈️ pic.twitter.com/WA3un4iCJK
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 3, 2024
King Koci 🤴 pic.twitter.com/nGYJG0LZVD
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 3, 2024
London Hoilett brought the Giants back to within one in the third period, but they couldn’t find the tying goal, as the Blazers improved to a 20-34-3-3 record, which is good for 46 points in 60 games.
The Giants dropped to 28-27-4-0, and sit in sixth place in the WHL’s Western Conference, tied with the Kelowna Rockets who also have 60 points but have played 60 games to Vancouver’s 59.
“We still got the same effort and energy and compete from our top guys but I thought it continued on throughout the lineup,” Blazers Head Coach and General Manager, Shaun Clouston said post-game.
Jesse Sanche turned aside 23 of 25 Vancouver shots to pick up his sixth win of the season. Matthew Hutchison stopped 44 of 47 Kamloops shots, and was named the third star.
“It wasn’t just two or three or four players battling all night. We got energy and effort and some real good shifts from our third and our fourth line as well,” Clouston added.
“I thought Tommy Lafrenière on the second line played a solid game. We got good goaltending and again, our older guys, our leaders, they battled and led the way.”
Connor Levis picked up an assist on Honzek’s goal in his return to Kamloops. The Vancouver native was acquired by the Giants at the WHL trade deadline in January. He’ll play one more game in Kamloops this season, when the Giants return to Sandman Centre on Saturday, March 16.
The Blazers are back in action on Wednesday, March 6, hosting the U.S. Division leading Portland Winterhawks.
They’re 10 points back of the Spokane Chiefs for the final playoff spot in the west, with eight games left to play.