RECAP | Warriors battered by Blazers
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Two goals early in each of the first and second periods proved too much for the Warriors to overcome as they fell 5-2 to the Kamloops Blazers in a Remembrance Day matinee,
The Blazers came out strong early with a goal from Ty Bonkowski just 50 seconds into the frame. The Blazers struck again not five minutes later with a goal from Cooper Moore. Miller Watkins in his WHL debut was assessed his first penalty minutes in the WHL just after the midway point with a high-sticking minor.
The Warriors penalty kill stood strong to keep the deficit at two. After a late hooking minor to Kamloops’ Gavin Nemis, Colt Carter capitalized for the Warriors to bring them within one.
Colt Carter’s goal was scored just four-tenths of a second before the power play expired to mark his first power play goal of the season. The teams were separated by one goal heading into the first intermission.
Early in the period, Mathieu Lajoie was assessed a crosschecking minor penalty and the Blazers’ responded quickly on the power play to restore their two-goal lead. The Blazers’ struck again under 90 seconds later with a goal from Carson Olsen.
Brady Ness was challenged by Andrew Thomson following a hit just over three minutes into the period. The initial hit did not draw a penalty and the Warriors landed on the power play. Both Ness and Thomson sat for fighting majors. A slash from Ty Bonkowski landed the Warriors’ on a 5-on-3 advantage for 45 seconds.
As the initial penalty expired, Gage Nagel was called for cross-checking and the teams played four-on-four for 1:14. Neither team capitalized while playing four-on-four and the Warriors held off the Blazers’ during their abbreviated power play and the teams returned to even strength with more than half of the period left.
The Warriors were tested on the penalty kill in the remaining half of the period. First, Connor Schmidt was called for slashing at 11:35, then the team was called for too many men at 14:23, which was served by Mathieu Lajoie, and then Connor Schmidt was called for interference inside the final three minutes. The Warriors stood strong on all three opportunities and kept themselves within three heading into the final intermission.
After the six-minute mark of the third period, Kamloops’ Joaquin Geras was assessed a boarding call after a hit to Mathieu Lajoie. Riley Thorpe took exception to the hit and dropped the gloves with Geras. Both players were assessed fighting majors. Thorpe’s unsportsmanlike minor cancelled out the original boarding call and the teams continued five-on-five.
With under seven minutes to play, Blazers’ River Arnason was called for tripping, sending the Warriors to the power play. The opportunity didn’t last long as Gage Nagel was assessed a minor penalty for hooking just 34 seconds into the Warriors’ advantage
With just 3:30 remaining in the period, Owen Cooper notched another game for the Blazers. Casey Brown responded quickly to restore the three-goal separation between the teams. The Warriors continued to pressure, but were unable to bridge the divide earning their fourth loss of their road trip.
In net, Dylan Mingo made 30 saves on 35 shots. Across the ice, Kaeden Tate made 28 saves on 30 shots. The Warriors went 1-for-4 on the power play and 6-for-7 on the penalty kill.
The Warriors complete their B.C. division road trip on Friday night with their first trip into Penticton to face off against the Vees for the second time in franchise history. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:05 pm in Saskatchewan. Follow along with the action on Country 100 with James Gallo or stream for free on YouTube.
