BLAZERS FALL 6-4 TO WINTERHAWKS
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
Kamloops hosted the Portland Winterhawks Saturday night for their first meeting of the regular season.
The game got off to a quick start with JP Hurlbert breaking in on a two-on-one but was denied by Winterhawks netminder Ondrej Stebetak. Portland opened the scoring first when Kayd Ruedig took an off angle shot that found the top corner behind Ivans Kufterins to make it 1-0.
That lead wouldn’t last long, Hurlbert dangled through the Winterhawks before feeding an open Nathan Behm who fired the puck past Stebetak to tie the game at one. The Winterhawks would answer right back when Max Psenicka fired a shot through traffic beating Kufterins to restore the lead.
The action continued on both ends and Kamloops thought they had tied it but were subsequently awarded a penalty shot that was taken by Hurlbert, but was denied by Stebetak. Moments later, Hurlbert pounced on a loose rebound off Ty Bonkowski’s shot to bury his eighth goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2.
The second period started off with high danger chances from Behm and Jordan Keller as the Blazers looked to seize momentum.
Portland went to the powerplay early but Kufterins stood tall between the pipes. Then on Kamloops own man advantage, guess who? Hurlbert nets his second of the night and gives the Blazers a 3-2 lead.
Behm continued to be a play driver all night and set up Andrew Thomson for a glorious chance but was denied by Stebetak. At the other end it was Kufterins channeling his inner Dominik Hasek impression as he sprawled to make a big save on Alex Weiermaier.
The third period opened with the Blazers taking full control, as the dynamic duo of Hurlbert and Tommy Lafreniere connect for Lafreniere’s second of the season to give the Blazers a two goal cushion.
Kamloops continued to generate offensive chances but couldn’t extend their lead. Then it was Winterhawks forward Jordan Duguay picking up a rebound and beating Kufterins blocker side. Blazers forward Cooper Moore was a standout all night, breaking up plays and acting as a relentless force on the penalty kill.
However, Portland pushed back late. Psencika would finish off a cross crease feed his second of the night. Portland then struck again moments later making it a 5-4 game on a reviewed goal. The Blazers would pull out one last chance pulling Kufterins for the extra man but couldn’t find the equalizer as Portland held on for the comeback win.
The Blazers will now head East for a road trip. Their next home game is October 24th against Medicine Hat.
