Dylan Ernst in action against the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 3 of the WHL Western Conference Championship on May 2, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
The Kamloops Blazers clawed their way back into the WHL Western Conference Championship with a 4-1 win in Game 3 Tuesday night, handing the Seattle Thunderbirds their first loss of the post-season.
The Blazers scored twice in the first period and twice late in the third period, to trail the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Daylan Kuefler opened the scoring on the power play at 8:29 after he redirected Olen Zellweger’s point shot past Thomas Milic.
Initially credited as Zellweger’s goal, it was later changed on the scoresheet.
What’s new? We’ve reached Game 3 of the WHL Eastern Conference Championship presented by Nutrien.
What’s NOT new? Olen Zellweger scoring for the @blazerhockey. @AnaheimDucks | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/0JKBIEdmpD
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 3, 2023
It was the second time the Blazers scored first in this series, though the lead didn’t last long as Nolan Allan evened the score at 1-1 about 90 seconds later.
Jakub Demek, who scored the WHL Championship winner against Seattle last season while a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, restored the Blazers’ lead with a shot that somehow found its way into the net.
Ruled a goal on the ice, it was later upheld after a video review, and it turned out to be the eventual game-winner.
One word: CHAOS!@blazerhockey | @GoldenKnights | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/2oT3yNjvFo
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 3, 2023
Jakub Demek is becoming familiar with game winning goals against the Thunderbirds in the playoffs. Scoring Kamloops’ 2nd of contest, holds up as first winning goal of postseason and 3rd career. The other two came last year in the Championship Series, including Cup clincher. https://t.co/t2lecHeYgS
— Geoffrey Brandow (@GeoffreyBrandow) May 3, 2023
The two teams played a scoreless second period, and were destined for a scoreless third, before two Blazers’ goals – Ryan Hofer into the empty net and Matthew Seminoff 25 seconds later – sent a raucous Sandman Centre crowd into a frenzy.
HOF with the cherry on top 🔥🔥#WHLPlayoffs #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/HdPMt9v1Hs
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) May 3, 2023
Scratch our last tweet, make THIS the cherry on top 🔥🔥🔥#WHLPlayoffs #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/WJm4Cqk62L
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) May 3, 2023
Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Ernst stood tall in net, making 22 saves on 23 shots for his ninth win of the playoffs. His counterpart, Thomas Milic, was the busier goaltender on the night, making 35 saves on 38 Kamloops shots, in a losing effort.
With chants of “Ernie’s House” raining down at Sandman Centre, the Weyburn, Sask. native pulled off a behind-the-back save in the second period – that was upheld after a video review – to keep the score at 2-1.
“Yeah, it hit off my toe and hit the stanchions and came around and hit the crossbar, and I didn’t know where it was at that time,” Ernst said post-game.
“I think it was [Ethan Brandwood] beside me and he was saying, ‘it’s there, it’s there’ and I felt it hit my back and I just swung around and got lucky, I guess.”
🎥SAVE OF THE NIGHT🎥
A Dylan Ernst MasterClass, pt. 1. @RealCdnSS | @blazerhockey | #NHLDraft #SaveoftheNight | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/InfCJmzf89
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 3, 2023
🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥
A Dylan Ernst MasterClass, pt. 2. @blazerhockey | #NHLDraft | #WHLHoN#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/kKpIUaHPVP
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 3, 2023
Zellweger, the reigning WHL Player of the Month, finished with three assists Tuesday night to tie Logan Stankoven – who picked up a pair of assists – atop the playoff scoring race with 27 points in 11 games.
Game 4 of the series goes Thursday night at Sandman Centre. Expect another sellout crowd at Sandman Centre with limited standing room tickets available here.
Game 5 will be played in Seattle on Saturday, May 6, with Game 6, if needed, back at Sandman Centre on Monday, May 8.
What a win, what a game. Four shots for Seattle in the 3rd in a smothering defensive effort. Series on.
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) May 3, 2023
