The Kamloops Blazers are back to back to back division title champions for the first time since 1992.

They beat the Prince George Cougars 8-2 at Sandman Centre in front of 4,745 fans to win the B.C. Division with 92 points with six games to go.

While the Kelowna Rockets could still tie the Blazers at 92 points, Kamloops holds the tiebreaker as the Rockets – who have eight games to go – will max out at 43 wins, while the Blazers currently have 45.

“It has been a great run. For some guys, it was their first. For some guys, it was their second, and for a handful, probably seven guys, it was three in a row. That doesn’t just happen,” Blazers Head Coach/GM Shaun Clouston said.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and commitment. You got to have good leadership and they got to pass it on to the next group. It’s been a great stretch and the guys should be really proud.”

Logan Stankoven, who’s been part of all three teams, led all Blazers will a four point night – two goals and two assists. Caedan Bankier (two), Fraser Minten, Daylan Kuefler, Matthew Seminoff and Drew Englot also found the back of the net.

“We got a special bond in there with a great group of guys, coaching staff, trainers,” Stankoven said. “We put lots of work in over the past few years that I have been here and to come away with back to back to back titles, it takes a lot of hard work and commitment.”

Koehn Ziemmer and Riley Heidt scored for the Cougars, while Dylan Garand stopped 31 of 33 shots in the Blazers net to earn his 31st win of the season.

Unlike the last two B.C. Division titles, the Blazers were able to celebrate in front of a home crowd Wednesday night. Unlike last time, they will also get a shot at winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions as the league is “committed” to playing games with restrictions easing.

The 2019-20 division title was clinched in Kennewick, Washington just a few days before COVID-19 shut down sports across the world, while the 2020-21 title was won at Sandman Centre with no fans in the stands, as part of the WHL’s bubble season.

“We’re a pretty proud group but it doesn’t stop there,” Stankoven added. “We want more.”

It is the 19th division title for the Blazers in franchise history, dating back to 1966 when they were the Estevan Bruins. This is also the first time since the 1989-90, 1990-91, and 1991-92 seasons where the Blazers won three straight division titles.

They ended up winning the WHL championship in 1989-90 and the WHL championship and the Memorial Cup in 1991-92.

Running it back-to-back-to-back!

The @blazerhockey are B.C. Division Champions for the third consecutive season! pic.twitter.com/RhwEzVsFK5

— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 31, 2022