A first period where the Kamloops Blazers fell behind to the visiting Everett Silvertips proved to be the difference Saturday night, as they fell 3-2 despite being the better team in the final 40 minutes.
Everett (2-2), playing for just the second time in 14 nights, came out of the gate with a jump in their step, and 20-year-old forward Bryce Kindoff burned the Blazers twice with a pair of goals.
Connor Zary brought Kamloops (3-4) back within a goal in the middle frame and after a third Tips goal, 16-year-old Blazer forward Caeden Bankier buried the first goal of his young career, playing in his fourth WHL game.
After being outshot 17-9 in the opening period, the Blazers outshot Everett 27-7 the rest of the way including 15-2 in the third.
“Tonight we ran into a team that was very hungry from the start, and it took us a long time,” Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston said post-game. “I mean they outplayed us in the first, we started gaining some momentum as the second period went on, and obviously our finish was very strong. We’ve had a number of games where we hadn’t had the starts that we need, so that’s something we have to work on.”
Saturday marked the Blazer debut of 20-year-old blueliner Max Martin, who arrived just before midnight the night earlier after being picked up in a trade from Prince Albert. Martin had an assist and played on the top powerplay unit.
“I don’t think it (the problem) was chemistry tonight… We just got behind, we pressed and we pushed, got some chances, but they’re goaltender played well,” Clouston says.
Forward Kyrell Sopotyk left the game in the second period and didn’t return, after suffering an undisclosed injury; the 17-year-old from Aberdeen, Sask. has six points in seven games to start the year and has a team-best plus-six rating, tied for seventh among all WHL players.
Meanwhile defenseman Luke Zazula missed a sixth straight game with a lower body injury but is expected back in the lineup soon.
Twenty-year-old forward Kobe Mohr did not dress and Blazers general manager Matt Bardsley told NL Sports in the second intermission that he is expected be traded in the coming days.
The Blazers next game is against Everett once again, visiting the Silvertips next Friday.
