Up against a team which is fighting for playoff position in the Western Conference standings, the Kamloops Blazers scored early, but were unable to keep up the pressure, going down to the Vancouver Giants 3-1 in Langley on Friday night.
The Blazers would open the scoring shortly after the 5 minute mark of the first, with Max Sullivan getting his 3rd of the season.
However, the Giants – pressing for the coveted fourth or fifth slot in the playoff race – were able to equalize with less than 4 minutes to go in the 1st.
Jaden Lipinski with his 21st of the season for Vancouver.
The second period saw both teams press for advantage, but with no goals to show for it.
It would remain scoreless until late in the 3rd period, when Ty Halaburda would get his 21st of the season with just over 4 minutes to go in the 3rd to give the Giants the 2-1 lead.
Vancouver would salt the game away just over 2 minutes later, with former Blazer Connor Levis scoring an empty netter to give the Giants the 3-1 victory.
Blazer Rookie Logan Edmonstone would turn aside 34 of the 36 shots he faced, earning him 3rd star status after the game.
With the win, Vancouver jumps ahead of Victoria for 6th in the Western Conference, after the Royals were thumped by Prince George 6-1 on Friday night.
Vancouver is now one point back of Kelowna for 5th.
The Giants make the return to Kamloops for a Saturday night match up against the Blazers at the Sandman Centre.
It’s a 6pm start time, with the pre-game on Radio NL with Jon Keen starting at 5:30pm.