Harrison Brunicke celebrates his goal against the Saskatoon Blades on Dec. 13, 2023. (Photo via WHL)
The Kamloops Blazers conceded early and often as they fell 5-1 to the WHL-leading Saskatoon Blades Wednesday night.
It was the sixth straight loss for the Blazers, who surrendered three goals inside the first six minutes at the SaskTel Centre, and never got back on track.
Lukas Hansen, Brandon Lisowsky, and Easton Armstrong struck for the Blades who ended the first period up 3-0.
Morgan Tastad added a fourth midway through the second, before Harrison Brunicke scored the Blazers only goal of the game on a rebound late in the period.
One shot, two shot, GOAL! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/TPNr8zWVwK
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 14, 2023
Egor Sidorov then added an empty netter late in the third period to restore Saskatoon’s four goal lead, giving them their seventh win in a row, and a 23-8-1-0 record.
The Blazers Dylan Ernst turned aside 21 of 25 shots he faced in a losing effort. His counterpart Evan Gardner made 24 saves on 25 shots to pick up the win.
Former Blazer Kyrell Sopotyk was in attendance Wednesday as he came to support his former team. The 22-year-old, who played two seasons in Kamloops, continues to impress in the world of para-athletics three years after a snowboarding accident left him partially paralyzed.
Soppo Strong! 💙🧡
Great seeing @kyrellsopotyk tonight in Saskatoon! 👏 pic.twitter.com/H5kls2XVMa— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 14, 2023
The 7-20-3-2 Blazers will conclude their East Division road trip – and the first half of the 2023-24 WHL season – in Moose Jaw on Friday.
Their next home game is Wednesday, Dec. 27, against the Kelowna Rockets from Sandman Centre.
