Connor Levis scores a goal against the Tri-City Americans on Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Sixteen-year-old Nathan Behm scored 2:20 into overtime to lift the Kamloops Blazers to a 3-2 win over the Tri-City Americans Friday night.
The come from behind win helped the Blazers snap a 10 game losing streak that dated back to the end of September.
“Yeah, Harry [Harrison Brunicke] made a great pass to me and I kind of saw the two-on-two. Cut to the middle, the goalie had it, so I wrapped it around and fortunately it went in,” Behm said post-game.
“We were all happy with the win. We’re going to try and do that again tomorrow.”
Nathan Behm plays herooooooo!!! @blazerhockey pic.twitter.com/Y77KikKcz1
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 28, 2023
It was also win number 548 for Blazers Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston, tying him with Ernie “Punch” McLean for seventh on the WHL’s all-time list.
Jake Sloan opened the scoring for the Americans at 2:28 of the first period to put the visitors up after 20 minutes of hockey.
Dylan Sydor and Brandon Whynott then traded goals early in the second period to give the Americans the 2-1 lead.
Let Syd cook👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/KGFQ6efgzj
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) October 28, 2023
A Connor Levis goal midway through the period at 11:11 meant the two teams were tied through two period of hockey at Sandman Centre. Levis connected on a cross-ice pass from Sydor to put the puck into a mostly empty net.
The goal. The celly. Levis ties the game 2-2!🔥 pic.twitter.com/7Qoe9UXa3L
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) October 28, 2023
Neither team could convert on their third-period chances, sending the game to overtime. Behm’s winner came on the Blazers’ fourth shot of the extra period, with Brunicke and Ryan Michael picking up assists.
“The group really needed it,” Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston said, post-game. “I thought it was a really strong performance. I thought we battled and showed some resilience being down a goal and then fighting back.”
“I though the third period was a real strong period. I mean there have been games where we’ve found a way just not to get through it and I just though the guys kept pushing.”
Dylan Ernst made 23 saves on 25 Tri-City shots to pick up his first win of the season. Tri-City’s Lukas Matecha stopped 33 of 36 shots in a losing effort.
The two teams will rematch at Sandman Centre Saturday night in a 6 p.m. puck drop.
“It feels so good. We’ll celebrate tonight but you know tomorrow is a new day and we’ll keep working at it,” Sydor said.
“The guys fought really hard and that’s what we’ve been preaching in the locker room, and it feels super good to get that win.”
