BLAZERS FALL 5-4 IN OVERTIME TO VEES
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers hosted the Penticton Vees on Saturday night for the second half of a back-to-back, looking to respond after a 4-2 loss in Penticton on Friday.
The opening period got off to a frantic start and Ivans Kufterins was tested almost immediately.A turnover led to a dangerous 3-on-0 chance, but Kufterins shut the door to keep the game deadlocked.
The Blazers began to find some momentum and Harrison Brunicke weaved through multiple Vees’ players before attempting a wraparound, that was denied by Ethan McCallum. Penticton would strike first, as Ryden Evers fired a one-timer past Kufterins to make it 1-0.
Kufterins was tested again early on in the second frame but came up with a big stop on Tristan Pedersen to keep Kamloops within one. The Blazers’ offence began to build momentum soon after, and their top power-play unit delivered. Brunicke set up J.P. Hurlbert, who wired home his 26th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
Kamloops nearly grabbed the lead moments later when Brunicke and Ty Bonkowski broke in on a two-on-one, but Ethan McCallum got a pad on the chance to keep it even. The two teams continued to trade quality looks as both goalies remained solid between the pipes.
Penticton jumped out early in the third, picking up two goals within a minute of each other to give the Vees a 3-1. Kamloops responded quickly, as Nathan Behm hammered a one-timer past Ethan McCallum to cut the deficit to one. The Vees would then break through on a two-on-one chance, but Kufterins made a sprawling save to keep the Blazers within one goal.
With momentum swung in their favour, the Blazers continued to push, and it was hometown product Jordan Keller ripping a shot through a Joaquin Geras screen to tie the game up at 3-3. Penticton regained the lead moments later when they were awarded a penalty shot, with Jacob Kvasnicka converting to make it 4-3.
With just over two minutes remaining, Kamloops earned a power play, and their top unit delivered once again. Keller redirected a point shot past McCallum to tie the game at 4-4 and force overtime.
In overtime, Penticton wasted little time, as Kvasnicka tucked one past Kufterins to seal a 5-4 victory for the Vees.
Next up: Kamloops will host the Prince George Cougars on Friday, and the Wenatchee Wild on Saturday.
