BLAZERS FALL 2-1 IN GAME 3
The Kamloops Blazers had their chances but not the finish in a 2-1 loss to the Victoria Royals in Game 3 of a WHL Western Confeence best-of-seven series. The Blazers now lead the series 2-1.
The Blazers were the better team in the first period, but the Royals got a beatiful goal on one of their few chances in the period. Logan Nelson made a terrific pass on an odd man rush to Ben Walker who converted to make it 1-0 Royals after the first period. JC Lipon and Marek Hrbas were both robbed on point blank chances.
The second period was all Blazers, but Polivka was outstanding. The Blazers finally broke Polivka on the power play as JC Lipon roofed a shot off the crossbar and in to tie the game up midway through the second period. The Blazers outshot the Royals 17-7 in the period, beating Polivka only once.
The Royals took the lead back early in the second period. Tim Traber put towards the net from the corner and it bounced in off goaltender Cole Cheveldave’s stick and in only 50 seconds into the period. The Blazers again had their chances to tie it up. a full two-minute five-on-three was given to the Blazers. They did a terrific job moving the puck around finally getting Polivka out of position but Lipon fanned on an open net. The Blazers also had to kill of their fare share of penalties in the perod which took away some momentum. The Blazers had some late chances to tie it including Polivka robbing Hrbas and Polivka getting a piece of a Joel Edmundson shot that slid by the outside of the post. In the end, the Blazers couldn’t even the score falling 2-1.
The Blazers outshot the Royals 40-28 as Polivka earned the win making 39 saves, while Cheveldave took the loss with 26 saves. The Blazers were 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Royals went 0-for-7.
These two teams will practice tomorrow and get set for Game 4 on Thursday night in Victoria.
Tickets to Game 5 this Saturday, March 30th are on sale at the Kamloops Blazers Box Office starting Wednesday morning,
