Caedan Bankier celebrates his goal against the Portland Winterhawks on April 15, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Logan Stankoven led the way with a five point night as the Kamloops Blazers blanked the Portland Winterhawks 5-0 in Game 2 of their second round playoff series.
The Blazers lead the best of seven series two games to nothing, as the series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
Stankoven finished with a pair of goals as Caedan Bankier, Olen Zellweger, and Daylan Kuefler also found the back of the net Saturday night.
Bankier scored the only goal of the first period, his powerplay marker coming with about eight minutes left in the period.
And it’s 1-0 Blazers 🔥 @Caedan_Bankier nets our first of the game!#WHLPlayoffs #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/XpqFJ2bGKa
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) April 16, 2023
Zellweger and Stankoven scored 90 seconds apart late in the second period to give the Blazers a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes, before Stankoven and Kuefler put the game out of Portland’s reach with goals in the third period.
Olen already brought the thunder, so Logan is bringing the lightning!⚡️@blazerhockey | @DallasStars | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/kofP520ND8
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 16, 2023
Matthew Seminoff had two assists on the night, as did Bankier, whose opening goal stood as the game winner Saturday night.
Dylan Ernst stopped all 29 shots he faced for his WHL playoff leading third shutout of the season. Ernst is second behind Seattle’s Thomas Milic in goals against average (1.42) and save percentage (0.942).
Portland’s Jan Špunar allowed five goals on 37 shots for his second loss in this series.
The series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Game 5, if needed, will be at Sandman Centre on Saturday, April 22.
