BLAZERS BEAT CHIEFS 5-4 IN THRILLER

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The Kamloops Blazers welcomed the Spokane Chiefs Friday night for a tilt at the Sandman Centre.

Kamloops got the period off to a hot start that saw chances coming from Nathan Behm and JP Hurlbert, both of whom were denied by Chiefs netminder Linus Vieillard. The Chiefs opened the scoring on a two-on-one, as Chase Harrington beat Ivans Kufterins to make it 1–0.

The lead wouldn’t last long as Blazers’ Rhett Ravndahl fired home a loose puck tying the game at 1-1. Kamloops continued to pounce, and it was Hurlbert setting up a play that found Tommy Lafreniere to make it 2-1, extending Lafreniere’s point streak to 11 games. Spokane continued to pressure, forcing Kufterins into multiple key stops, including a sprawling goal-line save to keep the Blazers in front. Kamloops would then respond on the powerplay, as Josh Evaschesen scored his 11th goal of the season to make it 3-1 late in the period.

Momentum shifted again, as the Chiefs pulled back within one off a slap shot from Rhett Sather, before Owen Martin snapped one past Kufterins shortly after, evening the score 3–3 to close the opening period.

The second opened with the Blazer getting on the board early as Behm drove the net aggressively before delivering a no-look, behind-the-back pass to JP Hurlbert, who finished the play to make it 4–3 Blazers.

The Blazers continued to apply pressure with opportunities coming from Kayd Ruedig and Cooper Moore on high-danger chances but Vieillard turned them aside. Kufterins was equally sharp, coming up with a critical save on Mathis Preston, and later making another desperation stop to preserve the lead.

Moments later, the Blazers capitalized on the momentum and Hurlbert struck again, burying his 20th goal of the season to extend Kamloops’ lead.

The third opened with energy on both ends and Kamloops looked to extend their lead as Cooper Moore and Owen Cooper each had high-danger chances but Vieillard came up with big stops. The Chiefs pushed back, peppering Ivans Kufterins with shots throughout the frame. The Latvian netminder remained calm and composed, turning aside multiple chances to steady the Blazers’ game.

The Chiefs chances would finally catch up to them as Harry Mattern redirected a point shot trimming the Blazers’ lead to one.. With 1:10 remaining, Spokane pulled the goalie in search of the equalizer. But Kufterins stepped up once more, making a crucial late-game save to secure the win. Kamloops closed it out 5-3 to earn the victory.

With tonight’s victory, Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston now sits at 600 career wins.

Kamloops will play host to the Penticton Vees on Saturday.