Blazers at Rockets 3/22 | WHL Highlights 2024-25

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The final game of the 2024-25 regular season capped off Saturday night for the Kamloops Blazers as they made their trek to Kelowna for a rivalry matchup against the Rockets.

Kamloops went with veteran netminder Dylan Ernst, who rounded out his WHL career following tonight’s game. The Rockets, meanwhile, went with Jake Pilon.

It didn’t take long for Kamloops to get the scoring started, as hometown product Jordan Keller made it 1-0 just 1:13 into the first period, beating Pilon. It only took a couple of minutes for the Blazers to find the back of the net again, and this time, it was overage veteran Oren Shtrom firing the puck in with a dazzling assist from Vit Zahejsky. Shtrom, playing his final WHL game, surely relished that feel-good moment. Kelowna would then respond as Will Sharpe fired a shot on net, with Dawson Gerwing getting the Rockets on the board and reducing the lead to one.

The second frame got off to a fast start, with action at both ends of the ice. Kamloops controlled the neutral zone and maintained possession for much of the first half of the period. However, the Rockets found the scoresheet again and tied the game when Connor Pankratz knocked in the equalizer. Not long after, Blazers forwards Bryce Minten and Max Sullivan worked tirelessly on a two-on-one, with Minten batting the puck out of midair for his first goal of the year in brilliant fashion. Minten then generated another high-danger chance on a breakaway but was denied.

With the final 20 minutes of the regular season underway, the action was tense, with chances coming from both sides. However, both goaltenders stood tall. Rockets forward Jakub Stancl tied the game at 3-3 as the clock approached the final 10 minutes. Soon after, Gabriel Guilbault notched his first goal of the campaign on a very bizarre play, extending the Rockets’ lead by one. The goal was highly questionable, as the referee’s whistle had blown before the puck crossed the line. However, after a review, the officials awarded Kelowna the goal.

Kamloops continued to apply high pressure, with quality chances from Emmitt Finnie and Isa Guram, but Pilon held strong. With 1:41 remaining, Dylan Ernst headed to the bench, and Finnie jumped on as the extra attacker. Kamloops pushed hard, and Beau Courtney generated a high-danger chance, but his shot was blocked. Kelowna held on for the 4-3 victory.