The Kamloops Blazers fought back from a two-goal deficit, en route to a 5-3 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings at Sandman Centre, in a battle of two WHL division leaders.
Logan Stankoven opened the scoring for the Blazers in the first period, but three goals for the Oil Kings – from Ethan McIndoe, Jake Neighbours, and David Kope – had them up 3-1 early in the second period.
Goals from Montana Onyebuchi at 7:10 and Max Martin at 14:03 ensured the Blazers ended the second period tied, with everything to play for in the final 20 minutes.
In that final period of play, Brodi Stuart scored his third of the season when he deflected a Quinn Schmiemann point shot on the power play. Stankoven meanwhile had his second on the night into the empty net to seal the win for Kamloops – his first two goal game in the regular season.
“At 3-1 it wasn’t looking great,” said Head Coach Shaun Clouston. “It was great to see[Pillar] have a great night. Nice to see Stuart score.”
“We got some really big contributions from players other than our top line. We’ve been relying on our top line for a long time, and it’s great to win a game where those guys were held off the score sheet.”
Josh Pillar led the way for the Blazers on the ice with three assists.
Dylan Garand picked up the win with a 27 save outing, while Todd Scott was credited with the loss while also making 27 saves.
The Blazers now get set for two games in two nights at home against the Portland Winterhawks, who are second in the US Division. Puck drop for both games is at 7 p.m., with the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.
Zazula Traded to Tri-City
Following the game, defenceman Luke Zazula, who was a healthy scratch, was traded by the Blazers to the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.
“Luke has been a Blazer since playing his first game as a 15-year-old so it certainly wasn’t easy to make this move,” said General Manager Matt Bardsley. “This will allow rookie defenseman Inaki Baragano and Ethan Brandwood to access more ice time while allowing Luke to be a key player in Tri City.”
Bardsley says the return means the Blazers have a good complement of draft picks if they look to add a player in the near future ahead of the Jan. 10 trade deadline.
“It’s tough, but I think with Luke’s skill set, he will get more of an opportunity in Tri-City,” Bardsley added. “The draft picks give us a flexible situation moving closer to the trade deadline.”
Zazula was drafted by the Blazers in the fourth round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. In 168 games with the Blazers over four seasons, he has eight goals, 42 assists and 50 points.
The move will leave the Blazers with 22 players on the roster – two goaltenders, six defensemen and 14 forwards.
(Photo via Kamloops Blazers)
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 28, 2019
