Nathan Behm celebrates one of two goals against the Kelowna Rockets on Jan. 26, 2024. (Photo via Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)
Nathan Behm scored a pair of goals, including the overtime winner with five seconds left to play, as the Kamloops Blazers beat the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 Friday night.
It was the Blazers third win in four games, and second in overtime, as the finished a series of six consecutive road games with three wins and three losses.
“I think there were about ten seconds left and I kind of read there was an opening and [Logan Bairos] made a great pass and [I] finished it pretty good, so its nice to get the win there,” Behm said post-game.
“I think we’ve all just bought in and we’re playing simple. We’re getting some good bounces and we’re going to try and keep doing that tomorrow.”
OT Road Warriors!🔥 https://t.co/sSGnQr8lWb
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 27, 2024
The Rockets led 2-1 after the first period thanks to goals from Andrew Cristall and Gabriel Szturc. Behm’s first of the night was sandwiched between the two Rockets’ goals.
NATHAN BEHM IS HIS NAME 😱 pic.twitter.com/zXTZuHg04n
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 27, 2024
The two teams played a scoreless second period before Ashton Ferster’s tenth of the year, on the power play, early in the third tied the game at 2-2.
Who else but Ferster?! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y8fDBuhAU9
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 27, 2024
Kamloops native Jordan Keller and Szturc traded goals midway through the third to set up overtime at Prospera Place.
ALL HAIL KELLER! 👑 pic.twitter.com/pQEfbJwJXf
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 27, 2024
The game looked destined to be heading to a shootout before Behm’s second of the night – and tenth of the season – gave the Blazers the two points.
Here’s how the OT call sounded for Blazer fans… 🔈 pic.twitter.com/nLzWuIOEWV
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 27, 2024
The Blazers have taken two of three meetings against their B.C. Division rivals, with five more games left in the season series.
Jesse Sanche made 28 saves on 31 shots to pick up the win for Kamloops. It was his third of the season, and first in his hometown.
“It feels awesome,” Sanche said. “I haven’t won an overtime game yet. The team battled so hard and it just makes it feel so much better
Jari Kykkanen was the busier goalie on the night, making 39 saves on 43 shots in a losing effort.
Logan Bairos and Emmitt Finnie finished with three assists each, while Cristall added two assists for the Rockets to finish with a three point night of his own.
The Blazers improve to 12-28-3-2 on the season, but they remain in last place in the WHL standings. The Rockets, who have lost three in a row, drop to 21-21-3-0, which is good for sixth in the Western Conference.
The two teams will rematch at Sandman Centre on Saturday night, Jan. 27, in what will be the Blazers’ first home game in a little over two weeks.
