The Kamloops Blazers struck first but it was the Spokane Chiefs who came away with a 3-2 win Wednesday night.

The Blazers opened the scoring inside the first minute through Shea Van Olm, his third goal of the season. That was the only goal of the opening period with the Chiefs not getting on the board until the middle of the second period.

Lukáš Král and Brayden Crampton scored power play goals about four minutes apart to give the Chiefs the 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of hockey at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

The youthful Blazers – who are without 19-year-old Fraser Minten as he continues to impress in the NHL – fought back early in the third after Emmitt Finnie finished a two-on-one rush shorthanded to tie the game at 2-2.

Levis dishes it to Finnie to tie the game short handed 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/lmi3TFtrLz

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) October 12, 2023

Kamloops then had their chances to score on a five minute powerplay after Ty Cheveldayoff was assessed a major penalty for kneeing Blazers defenseman Vojtech Vochvest, who had to be helped off the ice. Cheveldayoff was also given a game misconduct.

Berkly Catton – one of the top prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft – scored the eventual game winner for the Chiefs who improve to 3-3 through six games this season. The Blazers meanwhile drop to 1-3-2 with their losing streak now at four games.

Dylan Ernst turned aside 34 of 37 shots he faced in a losing effort. His counterpart Cooper Michaluk made 28 saves on 30 shots to take the win.

The Blazers continue their U.S. road trip with a game in Portland on Friday. The Winterhawks are currently the top ranked team in the CHL.

Their next home game will be on Tuesday, Oct. 17, when the Swift Current Broncos stop by Sandman Centre.