The Kamloops Blazers celebrate a goal against the Seattle Thunderbirds on March 1, 2024. (Photo via Kamloops Blazers)
Jordan Keller had a goal and two assists but the Kamloops Blazers were beaten 5-3 by the Seattle Thunderbirds in a Friday night battle between the two WHL basement dwellers.
The loss keeps the Blazers – who have lost four of their last five games – in last place in the Western Hockey League with a 19-34-3-3 record, which is good for 44 points in 59 games.
The Blazers killed off a pair of penalties in the first period before they took a 2-0 lead at Sandman Centre in the third of four meetings between the Blazers and Thunderbirds this season.
Ashton Ferster scored the opening goal at 16:12 of the first period, before Nathan Behm doubled the lead at 19:17.
Fersty has got that DAWG in him ???? pic.twitter.com/lI8KYzf3bv
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 2, 2024
Like a dog on a bone ???? pic.twitter.com/sXMn0Dz6XV
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 2, 2024
The Thunderbirds tied the game just past the six minute mark of the second period. Jeremy Hanzel struck first at 4:20 before Antonio Martorana’s equalizing goal at 6:06 of the middle frame.
Keller restored the Blazers lead about four minutes later on the power play but a goal from Nishaan Parmar with a little over four minutes to play sent the two teams back into the locker room tied at 3-3.
Kells gives us back the lead! ???? pic.twitter.com/UGybQPftnV
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 2, 2024
Seattle took their first lead of the night courtesy Nathan Pilling at 14:15 of the third period, a goal which ended up being the game winner. Piling’s second into the empty net in the final minute extinguished any hope of a Blazers comeback.
Dylan Ernst made 33 saves on 37 shots in a losing effort. Scott Ratzlaff turned aside 25 of 28 Kamloops shots to pick up the win Friday night.
Kamloops native Sawyer Mynio, a draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, picked up an assist for Seattle, who improve to 22-34-2-0, which is good for 46 points in 58 games.
The Thunderbirds are nine points back of the Spokane Chiefs, who beat Prince George 5-4 in overtime – for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Blazers host the Vancouver Giants tomorrow night, March 2, and the Portland Winterhawks next Wednesday.