Kamloops Blazers at Kelowna Rockets 01/02 | WHL Highlights 2025-26
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers and Kelowna Rockets reunited their heated rivalry as the two clashed Friday night at Prospera Place for the first time this season.
Logan Edmonstone got the start for Kamloops, while the Rockets went with Josh Banini.
Kelowna struck early, opening the scoring a minute in as Hayden Paupanekis beat Edmonstone top shelf to give the Rockets the 1-0 lead. Kamloops responded quickly, earning a powerplay shortly after and Kayd Ruedig fired a shot from the blueline that Josh Evaschesen tipped past Banini for his 16th of the year, to tie the game up at 1-1.
The intensity would ramp up as Madden Tymchak dropped the gloves with Carson Westch in a spirited tilt that energized both benches. Riding the momentum, the Blazers saw quality chances from J.P. Hurlbert and Cooper Moore, but Banini stood tall.
The second frame started off at a quick pace with Kamloops pressing early for the go-ahead goal. Josh Evaschesen and Moore went to work down low, generating back-to-back high-danger chances, but Banini turned both aside. A breakaway the ensued as Dawson Gerwing broke past the defence but Edmonstone shut him down.
Kamloops’ pressure would pay off as Nathan Behm drove to the net and tucked a back hand goal on Banini to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead. Hurlbert nearly capitalized on a breakaway, but Banini came up with another big stop. The puck went the other way and the Rockets tied it up as Hiroki Gojsic beat Edmonstone to tie the game once again.
The third opened with both teams trading chances early on keeping the goaltenders busy throughout the opening five minutes. The Blazers would then ring iron as Tommy Lafreniere’s shot stayed out, keeping the game tied. Kelowna nearly took the lead moments later, but Edmonstone came up with a stellar stop. With neither team able to break through, the game remained deadlocked at 2-2 and headed to overtime.
Overtime started off quick with Lafreniere finding Moore on a breakaway but Banini came up with the stop. Kamloops came close again on a scramble in front of the net, but the Rockets’ goalie stood tall once more.
With neither team scoring in overtime the game moved to a shootout where Behm scored for Kamloops, and Shane Smith scored for Kelowna. But, it was Evaschesen scoring what would be the winner as the Blazers pickup a big road victory, 3-2.
Kamloops and Kelowna will faceoff in a rematch on Saturday night at the Sandman Centre.
