Kamloops Blazers at Penticton Vees 01/09 | WHL Highlights 2025-26

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The Kamloops Blazers opened a weekend back-to-back on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre against the Penticton Vees.

Kamloops welcomed back Harrison Brunicke to the lineup, Brunicke spent the first half of the season in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he recorded one goal in nine games. Brunicke also recently captured a bronze medal with Canada at the World Juniors, alongside director of goaltending, Dan De Palma.

The Blazers also welcomed newly acquired forward Ty Coupland to the lineup. Coupland was acquired at the top of Thursday’s trade deadline for two fourth-round picks. In other trade deadline moves, Kamloops dealt Kayd Ruedig to Everett for a first-round pick and fourth-round pick, and released Evan Markel.

The first opened with pace and it was Brunicke generating the first quality chance just over four minutes in. Brunicke wired a shot form the blue line, but A.J. Reyelts turned it aside. Penticton struck first on a power play with Matteo Danis getting one past Logan Edmonstone to make it 1-0.

Kamloops pushed back as Cooper Moore and Josh Evaschesen each had opportunities to tie the game up but were denied by Reyelts. The Vees were later awarded a penalty shot after a tripping call on Brunicke, but Edmonstone shut the door to keep it a one-goal game heading into the intermission.

Penticton would continue to apply pressure early in the second, testing Edmonstone who remained sharp. The Blazers would gain a 5-on-3 power play and generated a high danger look from Evaschsesen down low, but Reyelts came up with the stop. The top power play unit continued to generate offence as Nathan Behm nearly tucked one past Reyelts to tie the game.

Brunicke would then showcase his high end skating ability, dancing through traffic and firing a shot, before being denied by Reyelts again. The Vees would extend their lead as Brady Birnie finished off a feed from Danis to make it 2-0 to cap off the second period.

Penticton came out with pressure to tart the third, forcing Edmonstone to make a pair of key saves to keep the Blazers within striking distance. Brunicke then found another gear, driving the net off the rush, before Behm picked up the rebound beating Reyelts to get the Blazers within one.

The Blazers would then find the equalizer off on a turnover, as Tommy Lafreniere fed Evaschesen, who beat Reyelts to tie the game at 2-2. Penticton responded shortly after, regaining the lead as Tristan Petersen’s shot slipped past Edmonstone to make it 3-2. With 2:16 left the Blazers pulled Edmonstone, but could not find the tying goal as Jacob Kvasnicka scored the empty netter to seal the game 4-2.

Kamloops will host Penticton at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Sandman Centre.