Dylan Sydor, Matthew Seminoff (13), Ethan Brandwood, and Caedan Bankier (19) celebrate a goal against the Victoria Royals on March 15, 2023. (Photo via Alex Beckett)
Matthew Seminoff had an eight point night as the Kamloops Blazers trounced the Victoria Royals 11-1 Wednesday night at Sandman Centre.
Seminoff, a Dallas Stars prospect, had four goals and four assists, leaving him one point off the club record of nine points set by Rob Brown, who achieved the feat twice in the 1986-87 season.
“It was just kind of one of those games where pucks seemed to find its way into the net,” Seminoff said post-game. “I wasn’t really thinking about the history, but yeah I was kind of aware of it.”
“[Caedan Bankier] and I were kind of talking to try and keep going I guess, and yeah, it worked out.”
All part of an eight-point night for Matthew Seminoff!@blazerhockey | @DallasStars | #WHLHatTricks pic.twitter.com/Z8XS7jhMhh
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 16, 2023
Not to be outdone, Bankier, a Minnesota Wild prospect, had a six point night of his own – three goals and three assists – as the Blazers extended their win streak to seven games, and 18 in their last 19 games.
“Pretty special to be a part of [Seminoff’s] night,” Bankier said, post-game. “You know growing up together and playing all those games together, it was pretty cool to be a part of it.”
“We knew [Seminoff] was getting close [to the all-time WHL record of 10 points in a game] so we were trying to find him out there and trying to get him close to the record, but like I said, he had a great game and we’re just super happy for him.”
Take it to the BANK.@blazerhockey | @mnwild | #WHLHatTricks pic.twitter.com/5M5qF8K8zD
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 16, 2023
Seminoff opened the scoring in 59 seconds into the first period and added a second at 11:24 before Emmitt Finnie, Bankier, and Ryan Michael made it 5-0 Blazers after 20 minutes.
Bankier (2), Seminoff (2), and Ryan Hofer doubled the lead in the second period with Harrison Brunicke scoring the Blazers only goal of the third period to make it 11-0.
Carter Dereniwsky got Royals on the board with 25 seconds left to play to end Dylan Ernst’s shutout bid. Ernst finished the night with 19 saves for his league leading 37th win of the season.
Braden Holt made 27 saves on 35 shots to take the loss before giving way to Nicholas Cristiano who allowed three goals on 13 shots in relief.
Hofer finished the night with a Gordie Howe hattrick as the Blazers also got multi-point efforts from Olen Zellweger – who is tied for most points among WHL defencemen with 74 – and Ryan Michael.
The Blazers will host the Kelowna Rockets at Sandman Centre Friday night, March 17, before heading to Prospera Place Saturday.
