Blake Swetlikoff and the Kamloops Blazers in action against the Victoria Royals in Jan. 21, 2204. (Photo via Kevin Light)
Blake Swetlikoff led the way with a four-point night (two goals and two assists) as the Kamloops Blazers beat the Victoria Royals 6-2 Sunday afternoon.
Swetlikoff, who was acquired by the Blazers in the Dylan Sydor trade this month, was named first star on the night as the Blazers split a pair of weekend games on Vancouver Island.
The Royals drew first blood in a five goal first period at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena, as Tyson Lavenuture’s power play goal put the home team up at 4:12.
Nathan Behm equalized 40 seconds later before Swetlikoff’s first as a Blazer gave Kamloops its first lead of the game at 16:21.
Swetlikoff with his 1st as a Blazer! 🎉🔥 pic.twitter.com/bImuwBFw1P
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 21, 2024
Kamloops led 3-2 after the first after both teams traded goals late in the period – Tanner Scott (short handed) and Logan Bairos (power play) – while Victoria’s Escalus Burlock served a two minute minor penalty for tripping.
Swetlikoff’s added an insurance marker with his second of the night midway through the third period to put the Blazers up by two.
Emmitt Finnie then sealed the win for the Blazers with a pair of short handed goals – one of which was into an empty net – while Ryan Michael served a two minute penalty for tripping.
Another day at the office for Finnie 👨💼 pic.twitter.com/J3thVjkFAl
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 22, 2024
Finnie added an assist to go with his goals, while Josh Kelly picked up assists on both of Swetlikoff’s goals for his first career multi-point game in the WHL.
Jesse Sanche made 21 saves on 23 shots to earn his second win of the season. The 17-year-old also picked up his first career WHL point as he was credited with the only assist on Finnie’s first goal.
The Royals’ Braden Holt made 24 saves on 29 shots in a losing effort, as Victoria drops to 24-15-3-3 on the season, good for fourth in the Western Conference.
The Blazers, who will play in Kelowna this Friday, improve to 11-28-3-2, but remain in last place in the WHL standings.
Their next home game will be on Jan. 27, when the Kelowna Rockets stop by Sandman Centre.
