Olen Zellweger celebrates his game-winning-goal against the Victoria Royals on Feb. 5, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Olen Zellweger scored with 23 seconds left to play as the Kamloops Blazers punched their ticket to the 2023 WHL playoffs with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Victoria Royals Sunday afternoon.
Caedan Bankier, who had a pair, and Ryan Hofer also scored for the Blazers, while Riley Gannon, Teydon Trembecky, and Kalem Parker found the back of the net for the Royals.
The Royals had a 2-1 lead after the first period, with Hofer’s goal sandwiched between Gannon’s and Trembecky’s. Parker then scored 52 seconds into the second period to double the visitors’ lead.
Bankier scored his first goal with 5:37 left in the second period to bring the Blazers back to within one. His second – with 3:20 left in the third – tied the game at 3-3, setting the stage up for Zellweger to score the winner 2:57 later to make it a perfect eight point week for the Memorial Cup hosts.
.@Caedan_Bankier just tucks it over the line to get our second of the night on the board.
3-2 Royals with 5 minutes left in the second.#whl #blazernation pic.twitter.com/mJdXgJdoAp
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 6, 2023
OLEN ZELLWEGER LATE DRAMA!!!@blazerhockey | @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/8t8FoL6Ykn
— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 6, 2023
Dylan Ernst made 21 saves on 24 shots for his WHL-leading 27th win of the season. Victoria’s Braden Holt – who faced 22 shots in the third period alone – was solid in a losing effort, making 46 saves in total.
With the win, the Blazers improve to 31-10-4-2 on the season. They remain six points behind the Western Conference leading Seattle Thunderbirds, who have a 36-9-1-1 record.
Are you ready Blazer Nation?
The @blazerhockey are going to the #WHLPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/XSQmLc25MG
— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 6, 2023
The Blazers play their next two games at home, hosting Saskatoon on Friday night and Prince George on Saturday night. They will then head on a six-game Central Division road trip as Sandman Centre plays host to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts from Feb. 17 to Feb. 26.
