Kamloops Blazers at Kelowna Rockets 03/13 | WHL Highlights 2025-26

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The Kamloops Blazers headed to Kelowna for a matchup against the Rockets in the first game of a home-and-home series.

The opening period saw both teams trade low-danger chances until Logan Edmonstone came up with a massive blocker save to keep the game scoreless. The Blazers nearly struck first when Nathan Behm took command of the play, but couldn’t beat Harrison Boettiger.

Kelowna would open the scoring when Mazden Leslie fired a point shot that was redirected by Tij Iginla, giving the Rockets a 1–0 lead. The physicality ramped up shortly after when Blazers forward Carson Olsen levelled Rockets skater Connor Pankratz. Six-foot-six defender Owen Hayden took exception, dropping the gloves with Olsen in a spirited bout.

Kelowna carried that momentum into the second, with Shane Smith scoring on the power play to make it 2-0. Then just a minute and a half later, Keith McInnis roofed it on Edmonstone to extend the Rockets lead.

The Blazers continued to apply sustained pressure, with chances from J.P. Hurlbert and Josh Evaschesen, but Boettiger stayed solid between the pipes. The Blazers finally broke through late in the period when Evaschesen fired an angled shot that trickled overtop of Boettiger and over the goal line, cutting the deficit to two.

Kamloops opened the third period with pressure, looking to cut into the lead with an early goal. The Blazers generated three high-danger chances early, but Boettiger stood tall and turned each of them aside.

Kamloops continued to press while also battling through questionable penalties. At the other end, Kelowna tested Edmonstone with a few looks of their own, but the Blazers netminder stayed sharp to keep the game within reach. The Rockets would strike late in the period on a shot from Leslie, making it 4-1, sealing the game.

Up Next: The Blazers will host the Rockets on Saturday night in a rematch.