Kamloops Blazers at Vancouver Giants 03/21 | WHL Highlights 2025-26

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

The Kamloops Blazers headed to Langley to faceoff against the Vancouver Giants for the final game of the regular season.

The Blazers went with Ivans Kufterins between the pipes, who got his first start since February 21st, while the Giants went with 20-year-old Kelton Pyne.

The opening period was fast-paced, with the Blazers generating several high-danger chances early. Kamloops opened the scoring when JP Hurlbert set up Tommy Lafreniere, who buried his 40th goal of the season past Pyne. The last time two Blazers scored 40 goals in a season was in 2000-01 when Scottie Upshall and Konstantin Panov both hit the feat.

The Blazers carried that momentum into the second striking early, as Josh Evaschesen found the back of the net just minutes in. Vancouver responded midway through the frame, with Ethan Mittelsteadt beating Kufterins to cut the deficit to one.

Tempers flared when Harrison Brunicke and Ryan Lin were involved in an accidental knee-on-knee collision, sparking a scrum. The Giants capitalized on the energy swing, tying the game with just over a minute remaining as Joe Iginla sniped one past Kufterins.

The third period opened with high energy, as both teams found their offensive rhythm while looking to break the tie. Vancouver had an early opportunity when Mathis Preston’s shot created a scramble in front, but Kufterins stood tall to keep it even.

Vancouver would eventually breakthrough, with Preston finding the back of the net to give the Giants a 3–2 lead. The Blazers responded almost immediately, as Brunicke set up Andrew Thomson who buried the equalizer to send the game to overtime.

Overtime didn’t last long as Lafreniere picked up the game winner for the Blazers just 15 seconds in.