Kamloops Blazers hammer visiting Rockets

Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers

March 14, 2015 - 10:11 AM

KAMLOOPS - The Kamloops Blazers were terrific from start to finish as they beat the Kelowna Rockets 5-1 on home ice Friday night, March 13.

The first period was scoreless as both teams had their chances to get the first goal.

Joel Hamilton hit the post for the Blazers, while Cole Ully had a break but was tripped up by Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle.

The Blazers outshot the Rockets 12-10 in the first period.

Collin Shirley opened the scoring 33 seconds into the second period. He beat Whistle to a puck off a deflected pass from Logan McVeigh to pot his 24th goal of the season and give the Blazers a 1-0 lead.

Shirley tallied again for the Blazers with 4:01 to play in the period on the power play. He tipped a point shot from Michael Fora to make it 2-0 for the Blazers.

The Rockets are the second ranked team in the CHL, and would not go away.

The Blazers took a penalty for too many men on the ice and the Rockets scored a power play goal with 30 seconds to play in the period.

Gage Quinney got the Rockets on the scoreboard as he potted a rebound to cut the Blazers lead to 2-1 through two periods.

The Blazers knew the importance of the points in the standings and came out with a bang in the third period.

Deven Sideroff used his speed to drive wide around a Rockets defender before sliding home his 17th goal of the season to make it 3-1 for the Blazers 1:30 into the third period.

Joel Hamilton followed up with a goal three minutes later. He blasted a shot past Whistle on the blocker side to make it 4-1 for the Blazers.

The Blazers cruised the rest of the way as they outshot the Rockets 15-8 in the third period.

Nick Chyzowski rounded out the scoring adding a goal in the late stages of the game to make it a 5-1 final for the Blazers.

The Blazers were 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Rockets finished 1-for-4. The Blazers outshot the Rockets 36-23 on the night.

Connor Ingram was terrific in goal with 22 saves, while Jackson Whistle stopped 31 shots for the Rockets.

The win, coupled with Tri-City defeating Prince George 7-4, means that the Blazers are in a three-way tie for the final two spots in the WHL's Western Conference with Tri-City and Prince George.

The Blazers and Rockets will play for the final time this season on Saturday night, March 14, in Kelowna.