BLAZERS BEAT CHIEFS 6-4 IN HOME OPENER
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers opened up the 2025/26 season against the Spokane Chiefs at home on Saturday evening.
The first period kicked off with a big chance from Allen, Texas native JP Hurlbert who worked the puck in the offensive zone, maneuvering around Chiefs players before being denied by Linus Vieillard. Spokane quickly found its own rhythm testing Logan Edmonstone with a dangerous look that the Blazers goaltender turned aside.
Spokane was able to find the back of the net first off a point shot from Rhett Sather that got through traffic. But, that lead didn’t last long when Hurlbert fired home his first of his WHL career to tie the game at 1-1.
Momentum swung back and forth and the Blazers were determined to get another one. Hurlbert delivered as he dangled in all alone and roofed a backhand goal on Vieillard to make it 2-1. The lead didn’t stand for long though as Chiefs forward Mathis Preston was able to beat Edmonstone to tie the game at 2-2.
The second period started off with a powerplay for the Blazers that carried over and while the Blazers weren’t able to capitalize, it was only a few short seconds after that Isa Guram fired home his first WHL goal, going bardown on Vieillard.
Moments later, following a delay of game penalty to the Chiefs, the hats rained down as the ‘Texas Tornado’ JP Hurlbert completed the hat trick scoring his third of the night to make it 4-2 Kamloops. The Blazers weren’t done yet, on the penalty kill, Cooper Moore went in on a 2-on-1 and ripped home his first WHL goal to extend the lead by three.
The third period opened with a dangerous chance for the Chiefs but Edmonstone shut the door on the goal line. Spokane would then find the back of the net when Coco Armstrong flung himself on a breakaway and beat Edmonstone short side to cut the lead to two.
Halfway through the third, Blazers forward Josh Evaschesen fired off two quick high-danger shots but was turned aside by Vieillard. Blazers forward Vit Zahejsky then delivered a big open ice hit to Chiefs forward Ethan Hughes which drew a scrum and eruption from the Blazers crowd. Following an ensuing powerplay, Spokane capitalized as Gavin Burcar would shovel the puck home to cut the lead to one. As the minute wound down and with the net empty, it was newcomer Owen Cooper sealing the deal for the Blazers to make it 6-4.
Kamloops opens up the 2025/26 season with a victory and will face the Seattle Thunderbirds next Friday.
