RECAP: Blazers edge Pats 4-3 in overtime

RECAP: Blazers edge Pats 4-3 in overtime

Photo by Keith Hershmiller Photography

Kamloops, B.C. — The Regina Pats battled back from a two-goal deficit to take the lead in the third period, but the Kamloops Blazers stormed back late and prevailed 4-3 in overtime on Monday afternoon at the Brandt Centre.

Kamloops opened the scoring midway through the first period, as Nathan Behm blasted a shot from the left circle past Kelton Pyne at 12:22 to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Early in the second period, the Blazers doubled their advantage when Tommy Lafreniere fired home a shot just as a five-on-three power play expired. The Pats responded quickly, however, as Julien Maze worked his way through the slot and lifted a backhander over Logan Edmonstone just 90 seconds later to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the third.

Regina carried the momentum into the final frame, tying the game at 4:54 when Zachary Lansard forced a turnover and beat Edmonstone over the shoulder. The Pats then grabbed their first lead of the night at 10:39, with Caden Brown burying a loose puck in front to make it 3-2.

Kamloops refused to go away, as Jordan Keller evened the score at 18:21, converting a cross-ice feed from Behm to force overtime.

In the extra frame, Lafreniere struck again, walking down the middle and ripping home the game-winner at 2:12 to lift the Blazers to victory.

Final shots were 36-32 in favour of the Pats. The Pats went 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Blazers finished 1-for-5. Kelton Pyne made 28 saves in the loss, while Logan Edmonstone turned aside 33 shots to earn the win for Kamloops as they broke a four game skid.

JUST NOTES

• Kelton Pyne made his first start since Sept. 26, stopping 28 of 32.
• Maddox Schultz picked up an assist, giving him four helpers in as many games.
• Julien Maze grabbed two points (1G-1A), giving him a team leading nine points in seven games (4G-5A).
• The 36 shots on net today were the most by the Pats this season.

ASST. COACH KEN SCHNEIDER POST-GAME

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FINAL: Kamloops Blazers 4, Regina Pats 3 (OT)

THE GOALS

First Period

Blazers 1-0 — #29 Nathan Behm (6) scores. Assists: #2 JP Hurlbert at 12:22
// Hurlbert streaked across the line and quickly fed the puck to the left circle, where Behm’s long-range blast beat Pyne’s pad to open the scoring.

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Second Period

Blazers 2-0 — #16 Tommy Lafreniere (3) scores. Assists: #9 Joaquin Geras, #2 JP Hurlbert at 0:41
// Just as the Blazers’ five-on-three power play expired, Lafreniere ripped the puck home from the far circle to extend the lead.

Pats 2-1 — #72 Julien Maze (4) scores. Assist: #44 Matt Paranych at 2:12
// Maze worked his way across the slot and lifted a backhander over the blocker of Logan Edmonstone to get Regina on the board.

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Third Period

Pats 2-2 — #57 Zachary Lansard (3) scores. Assists: #19 Maddox Schultz, #36 Brayden Smith at 4:54
// Lansard stripped a Blazers defender of the puck and fired it over Edmonstone’s shoulder to tie the game.

Pats 3-2 — #27 Caden Brown (3) scores. Assists: #55 Ephram McNutt, #72 Julien Maze at 10:39
// Brown battled to the front of the net and found a bouncing puck just outside the crease before lifting it home to give the Pats their first lead.

Blazers 3-3 — #22 Jordan Keller (5) scores. Assists: #29 Nathan Behm, #2 JP Hurlbert at 18:21
// Behm walked down to the left circle and sent a cross-ice pass to Keller, who one-timed the puck home to tie the game late.

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Overtime

Blazers 4-3 — #16 Tommy Lafreniere (4) scores. Assists: #2 JP Hurlbert, #31 Logan Edmonstone at 2:12
// Lafreniere walked right down the middle and ripped a shot past Kelton Pyne to complete the comeback for Kamloops.