Kamloops Blazers at Tri-City Americans 01/25 | WHL Highlights 2025-26
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers wrapped up a three game U.S. Division road trip Sunday afternoon with a stop in Kennewick to take on the Tri-City Americans.
The first opened with high energy as Blazers’s Harrison Brunicke jumped into the rush early, firing a pair of quick shots on Tri City goaltender Xavier Wendt. Tri-City would capitalize first, as Grady Martin beat Ivans Kufterins to make it 1-0.
Kamloops pushed back, with a quality look from Tommy Lafreniere, but Wendt came up with another stop. The Blazers would continue to generate pressure, including a prime chance from Josh Evaschesen, but couldn’t solve the Americans’ netminder.
Kamloops carried that energy into the second period, creating early opportunities with looks from Ty Coupland and Brunicke again, but Wendt remained sharp. Tri-City doubled the lead at the 6:00 mark when Jake Gudelj finished a feed from Connor Dale to make it 2-0. Kamloops nearly responded moments later as Vit Zahejsky’s shot rang off the crossbar. Kamloops sustained pressure the rest of the frame, with high-danger chances from Lafreniere and Cooper Moore, but Wendt shut the door.
The third period opened with pace before Blazers forward Asher Gingras looked to spark his team, dropping the gloves for his first WHL fight. Kamloops would create chances following the tilt, as both Coupland and Moore nearly got the Blazers on the board, but Wendt stayed composed.
The Blazers finally broke through midway through the frame when Brunicke found space and snapped a shot that deflected off Ty Bonkowski and past Wendt, pulling Kamloops within one. The Americans would answer quickly, as Dale’s shot snuck past Kufterins to make it 3-1. Kamloops answered immediately. Just six seconds later, Zahejsky buried his second goal in as many games to make it a 3-2 game.
The momentum swing was cut short though, as Americans defenceman Charlie Elick beat Kufterins to make it 4-2. With 2:40 remaining, the Blazers pulled Kufterins, opting for the extra man. Despite sustained pressure in the Tri-City zone for over two minutes, the Blazers were unable to convert, falling 4-2.
Next up: Kamloops heads home for a matchup against the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday before hitting the road Friday in Penticton, then wrapping the week back at the Sandman Centre Saturday night against the Prince George Cougars.
