Ryan Hofer celebrates one of his two goals against the Seattle Thunderbirds on May 6, 2023. (Photo via Brian Liesse)
Matthew Seminoff and Ryan Hofer had a pair of goals each as the Kamloops Blazers forced a Game 6 with a 4-2 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 5 Saturday night.
It is Seattle’s second defeat of the Western Conference Championship – and the 2023 playoffs – though they still lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, with Game 6 in Kamloops on Monday.
The two teams played a scoreless opening 20 minutes though the Blazers closed the period with some good chances and momentum. At the other end, goaltender Dylan Ernst had a couple of big stops – including one on Colton Dach – to keep the game scoreless.
Thanks to a crucial save from Dylan Ernst, we sit scoreless through one period between the Blazers and Thunderbirds.
📺 | https://t.co/HQbpG90GzL@blazerhockey | #NHLDraft | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/Tg504eSuVA
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2023
Jared Davidson opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds at 6:25 of the second period, setting a franchise record in the process with his 22nd playoff goal.
Seminoff scored his first on the night – the first of four straight Blazers goals – about 10 minutes later, to send the two teams into the locker room tied at 1-1.
With goals in four-straight games, @DallasStars prospect Matthew Seminoff evens the score for the @blazerhockey!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/EDgwMfw2O6
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2023
The Blazers came out flying in the third, as both Seminoff and Hofer beat Thomas Milic 23 seconds apart in the first 1:06, giving Kamloops its first lead of the night in a must win game.
Hofer then put the Memorial Cup hosts up by three with a shorthanded goal at 5:31 after Dylan Sydor was penalized for a trip.
🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥
Down a man, up a goal. That’s the Ryan Hofer way.@blazerhockey | @Capitals #WHLHoN | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/1eGy2Mp7hg
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2023
Reid Schafer converted on the power play 17 seconds later to bring the T-Birds back to within two, but that was all the offence the home team could muster despite having a brief 6-on-3 power play late in the period.
Ernst turned aside 33 of 35 shots to take the win, while Milic made 26 saves on 30 Kamloops shots.
🎥SAVE OF THE NIGHT🎥
Windmilling our way to Game 6. @RealCdnSS | @blazerhockey#NHLDraft | #WHLPlayoffs | #SaveoftheNight pic.twitter.com/Z5V2hnfoP9
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 7, 2023
Tickets for Game 6 at the Sandman Centre will go on sale online at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 7, and at the box office at 9 a.m. on Monday.
Game 7, if needed, will be back in Seattle on Tuesday, May 6.
The winner of the series will face the Winnipeg Ice for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
Blazers just put in their biggest effort of the season in that 3rd…. three early goals, a 6-on-3 late to kill.
Guys should be proud of themselves.— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) May 7, 2023
