ROCKETS TOP BLAZERS 5-2 IN KAMLOOPS
The Kamloops Blazers gave up four first period goals and lost 5-2 on home ice to the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday night.
The Rockets came ready to play and scored the opening goal 1:34 into the game. Tyson Baillie tipped a shot from Joe Gatenby that found its way through Connor Ingram to make it 1-0 for the Rockets.
Justin Kirkland made it 2-0 as he put home a rebound into an open net 5:32 into the opening frame.
The Blazers came back just over a minute later as Michael Fora protected a puck and fed Matt Revel on a break. Revel snapped a shot past goaltender Jake Morrissey to cut the Rockets lead to 2-1.
The Rockets came back on their lethal power play with a goal. Dillon Dube was the goal scorer as the Rockets moved the puck like an NHL team before Dube had an open net for a 3-1 Rockets lead.
Matt Needham had a chance to get the Blazers back within a goal on the power play. Cole Ully set him up for an open net, but Needham fired wired and the Blazers continued to trail 3-1.
Justin Kirkland, who had a solid night with three points made it 4-1 on a one-timer on the power play. He fired a shot over Ingram’s shoulder to give the Rockets a 4-1 lead through the first period.
The Blazers got themselves back into the game with an early power play goal. Jake Kryski scored his first goal in 28 games and the Blazers trailed 4-2.
The Blazers had their chances in the second period to get back into it. Jesse Zaharichuk and Jake Kryski jammed away on a scramble in front, but the Rockets managed to keep the puck out and the game stayed 4-2 going into the third period.
In the third period, the Rockets added a power play goal as they went on to win their 41st game of the season 5-2 over the Blazers.
The Rockets were 3-for-8 on the power play, while the Blazers finished 1-for-3 on the night.
The Blazers are back at home on Monday, February 9 for a 2:00pm game against the Tri-City Americans.
