BLAZERS FALL 3-2 IN SHOOTOUT
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers welcomed the Prince George Cougars for the second game of a back-to-back set.
Kamloops handed the crease to Latvian netminder Ivans Kufterins. While the Cougars started San Jose Sharks first round selection Joshua Ravensbergen.
The opening frame was played at a high temp, featuring plenty of physicality. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Harrison Brunicke set the tone early when he levelled Brock Souch along the boards, igniting the home crowd.
The Blazers capitalized on that momentum striking first when Tommy Lafreniere ripped a shot past Ravensbergen for his 31st goal of the season to make it 1-0. Prince George nearly answered moments later when Terik Parascak broke in all alone but Kufterins stood tall to preserve the lead.
The second opened with both sides trading quality chances, Cooper Moore was sprung on a breakaway and looked poised to double the lead, but Ravensbergen stood his ground and turned it aside.
Kamloops continued to build momentum with JP Hurlbert and Tommy Lafreniere generating sustained pressure. Ravensbergen was forced into another big stop, sprawling across to make a desperation save and keep the game within one. Prince George would find some space and Carson Carels would maneuver through the defence before letting a shot go that Kufterins stopped with poise.
Kamloops nearly added to their lead early in the frame when Logan Lanti found himself alone at the top of the crease, but Ravensbergen came up with a key stop.
The Blazers would strike and make it a two goal game just under 10:00 remaining when Josh Evaschsesen roofed it on Ravensbergen for his 28th of the season. Prince George would finally find the scoresheet, when Kayden Lemire fired one off the post and in beating Kufterins to make it 2-1.
Kufterins would then make a highlight reel save, robbing Dimitri Yakutsenak on the goal line with a sprawling save to keep the Blazers ahead by one. With 2:00 remaining the Cougars pulled their netminder looking for the equalizer and Parascak would deliver with 5.4 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
Overtime carried the same end-to-end intensity, with Hurlbert and Parascak both generating quality chances but unable to solve the goaltenders.
With overtime going scoreless, the game headed to a shootout where the Cougars sealed the game 3-2 in the 14th round.
Up next: Kamloops will host the Victoria Royals on Monday at 2:00 for a Family Day matinee game.
