Kamloops Blazers at Medicine Hat Tigers – 02/22 | WHL Highlights 2024-25

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The Kamloops Blazers entered Saturday’s game just three points out of a WHL playoff spot, looking to gain ground in the standings. Veteran goaltender Dylan Ernst returned to the crease, facing off against top prospect Gavin McKenna and the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Kamloops was without forward Vit Zahejsky, who remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Suiting up in his absence was Bryce Minten who saw his 31st game of action.

The opening period saw a high-paced start from both teams. McKenna and Kamloops product Matthew Ward generated early chances for the Tigers, but Ernst stood tall in his return. The Blazers responded with pressure of their own, as Max Sullivan set up Andrew Thomson in front, only for Tigers netminder Jordan Switzer to deny him.

Action continued on both ends as Minnesota Wild prospect Ryder Ritchie walked it through the defence but Ernst got a pad on it. The puck then ended up back the other way as Nathan Behm found himself on a breakaway but was unable to beat Switzer as he shot it wide. Medicine Hat struck first when McKenna and Oasiz Wiesblatt connected on a dazzling setup for Hunter St. Martin, who opened the scoring. Ritchie followed up shortly after, beating Ernst to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.

Medicine Hat started the second period on the power play, generating several dangerous opportunities, but the Blazers successfully killed off the penalty. Sullivan nearly put Kamloops on the board, ringing a shot off the iron. Just past the 14-minute mark, the Tigers extended their lead when former Blazers draft pick Tyson Moss set up Kadon McCann to make it 3-0. The Tigers would then pounce again as McKenna showcased his elite skill, dangling through defenders before feeding St. Martin for his second goal of the night. Medicine Hat struck again when Finnish import defender Nillopekka Muhonen capitalized on a net-front scramble to make it 5-0. That marked the end of the night for Ernst, as Logan Edmonstone took over in goal in what would be his 12th consecutive night of action. Edmonstone made an immediate impact, turning aside two dangerous chances from McKenna in the closing minutes of the period.

Edmonstone then came up big in the third period, making a key save on Schaefer Gordon-Carroll before a rebound was corralled and rang off the post. As the game approached the 10-minute mark, Kamloops generated a few quality chances—Behm and Keller both tested Switzer but couldn’t find the scoresheet. Kamloops continued to hound the Tigers’ top offensive line, making it difficult for them to keep possession of the puck in the third. Ward then had a chance to extend the lead for the Tigers on the back door but Edmonstone sprawled to make a big save. On the other end of the ice, it was Harrison Brunicke leading the charge on a nice 3-on-1 opportunity but the Blazers could not capitalize as Switzer turned aside the chance. The Blazers dropped the game 5-0, the last time Kamloops was shutout was last season, also against Medicine Hat.

Kamloops will host the Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday.