Vancouver/Kamloops (Ethan Allin – BCIT Radio Arts and Journalism) – The Vancouver Giants lose 4-2 Against The Kamloops Blazers, Now Down 3-1 In The Series.
The Vancouver Giants came up short in Game 4 of the Western Hockey League Playoffs against the Kamloops Blazers losing 4-2 with two goals from Logan Stankoven.
A hard fought, physical game on both sides came down to the final minutes of the third period.
Kamloops Blazers Forward Luke Toporowski (6) opened the scoring with a quick shot from the goal line making it 1-0 Blazers. The first of the game was assisted by Drew Englot and Ethan Brandwood at 13:54.
Vancouver Gaints Forward Zack Ostapchuk (4) tied the game up on a great breakaway goal fending off the Blazers defender. It was assisted by Fabian Lysell making the game 1-1 at 17:42 in the first period.
Both Vancouver and Kamloops played a physical hockey game through the first 20 minutes of play. This would stay true throughout the game.
Kamloops Forward Caeden Bankier (4) scored in the second period to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead assisted by Daylan Kuefler at 12:39.
The feisty affaire between Vancouver and Kamloops continued until the final whistle through two periods. The shots were 27-15 for the Kamloops Blazers after 40 minutes of play.
Giants Forward Zack Ostapchuk (5) scored his second of the game making it 2-2 with 6:21 left in the third period. The goal was assisted by Fabian Lysell and Adam Hall.
Blazers Forward Stankoven (8) scored the eventual game winner on the power-play at 17:23 of the third period making it 3-2 Kamloops. The goal was assisted by Quinn Schmiemann and Luke Torporowski.
The empty net goal scored by Blazers Forward Stankoven (9) made it 4-2 at 19:52 in the third period.
Penalties would pay costly for Vancouver Thursday night against Kamloops. With a two-many men call against Vancouver being their undoing.
Finals shot count was 43-20 in favour of the Kamloops Blazers.
Three Stars of the game:
- #10 Zack Ostapchuk (VAN)
- #11 Logan Stankoven (KAM)
- #39 Matthew Edwards (VAN)
