Langley (Ethan Allin- BCIT Radio Arts and Journalism) – The Kamloops Blazers advance to the third round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs after defeating the Vancouver Giants 6-0 Sunday, May 15 at the Langley Events Centre.
The Blazers were pushed further than some excepted in this second round series, but ultimately found a way to eliminate the eight seed Vancouver Giants. Kamloops Blazers took over in the shot department outshooting Vancouver 36-24 in Game 6.
Thirteen penalties were called overall, which was the storyline throughout this second round matchup. The game started off quickly with the Blazers putting on the pressure early in the first period. Hits, shots, and the penalty-kill would prove to be the difference maker for the Blazers. Eventually the fire power of Kamloops was too much for Vancouver to handle as the Blazers came away with the 6-0 win.
Here’s the scoring recap for Game 6 Vancouver vs. Kamloops:
Kamloops Blazers Forward Fraser Minten (5) scored the first goal of the game, and the eventual game winner at 6:06 of the first period. It wasn’t long after that when Kamloops Blazers Forward Luke Toporowski scored at 10:27 in the first period. The second goal of the game was assisted by Logan Stankoven and Quinn Schmiemann. The shots were 12-10 in favour of Vancouver after twenty minutes making it 2-0 Kamloops.
It wasn’t until 12:03 of the second period when Kamloops Forward Daylan Kuefler (4) scored his fourth of the playoffs to give the Blazers a 3-0 lead. Penalties would be costly once again for Vancouver as Kamloops Forward Logan Stankoven (10) scored his tenth on the power-play assisted by Daylan Kuefler and Luke Toporowski at 13:07 in the second period. Kamloops came out firing in the second period outshooting Vancouver 15-4. The Blazers lead 4-0 through 40 minutes of play.
Kamloops Forward Luke Toporowski (9) scored the Blazers second power-play goal assisted by Quinn Schmeimann at 1:05 in the third period. The final goal of the game was scored by Kamloops Forward Caeden Bankier (5) assisted by Daylan Kuefler and Reese Belton.
Three Stars Of The Game:
1. #27 Alex Cotton (VAN)
2. #12 Adam Hall (VAN)
3. #22 Connor Horning (VAN)
