Post Game Highlights: GAME ONE | KEL vs KAM
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Kamloops Blazers and Kelowna Rockets opened their first-round matchup of the 2026 WHL Playoffs on Friday night, with Game 1 at Prospera Place.
Kamloops went with Logan Edmonstone between the pipes, while the Rockets turned to Harrison Boettiger.
The opening 10 minutes was a feeling out process as each team created low-danger chances, putting up just two shots each. As the period progressed, the Blazers began to find some offensive rhythm. J.P. Hurlbert and Ty Coupland each came close to opening the scoring, but Boettiger stood tall, turning aside both chances with a pair of timely saves.
The second period opened with energy from the Blazers who looked to capitalize first. Josh Evaschesen had a high-danger opportunity but was denied. At the other end, Edmonstone responded with a pair of key saves on chances from Tij Iginla and Ty Halaburda.
Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke then joined the rush, activating from the blue line and driving the net, but couldn’t beat Boettiger. Kelowna struck just after the 10:00 mark, with Vojtech Cihar rifling a power play goal past Edmonstone to open the scoring.
Kamloops opened the third period in search of an equalizer, generating chances from Tommy Lafreniere and Nathan Behm, but couldn’t beat Boettiger. At the other end, Iginla and Shane Smith found themselves with high-danger looks, but Edmonstone came up with the stops to keep it a one-goal game.
The Rockets would double their lead with 10:18 to go when Iginla sniped it past Edmonstone to make it 2-0. Kamloops kept pushing with chances again coming from Brunicke and Hurlbert, but Boettiger remained steady. With just over 2:00 left, the Blazers pulled Edmonstone looking for the extra attacker and Cihar capitalized with his second goal of the night to make it 3-0. The Blazers would spoil the shutout with 4.5 seconds left on the clock as Jacob Dumansky found the back of the net, sealing a 3-1 final.
Up next: The Blazers will face the Rockets in Game 2 on Saturday.
