Connor Levis, Dylan Sydor, and Fraser Minten celebrate a goal against the Portland Winterhawks on Nov. 8, 2023. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
The Kamloops Blazers struck first but they were unable to build on it, falling 7-3 to the Portland Winterhawks Wednesday night.
The loss snapped a three-game home winning streak for the Blazers, who remain at the bottom of the WHL standings with a 4-11-2-1 record.
Connor Levis opened the scoring for the Blazers with a power play goal five minutes into the opening period. The Winnipeg Jets prospect banked his own rebound in after a pass from Fraser Minten.
Mints ➡️ Levs = 💰 pic.twitter.com/gGOgfOoTvn
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 9, 2023
The Winterhawks – ranked third in the CHL – responded with four unanswered goals.
Luca Cagnoni and Josh Davies struck on the power play to put Portland up 2-1 after one period. Davies and Gabe Klaasen added to the lead in the second period, seemingly taking the game away from Kamloops in the process.
The Blazers though roared back as a pair of goals from Shea Van Olm and Logan Bairos 39 seconds apart made it 4-3 after 40 minutes.
VAN OLM DOES IT HIMSELF! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/kofngUBvhf
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 9, 2023
BAIROS❗️WE’RE WITHIN ONE! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C3tZJrrsSt
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 9, 2023
Portland then tightened the screws in the final period, with goal from Klassen, Davies, and Luke Schelter, giving them their fourth consecutive game with a point. The Winterhawks are 11-4-0-1 this season, good for second in the Western Conference behind the Prince George Cougars.
Cagnoni (one goal, four assists) and Klassen (two goals, three assists) finished with five point nights. Davies meanwhile added an assist to go with his hattrick, giving him a four point night.
Dylan Ernst made 41 saves on 48 shots to take the loss. His counterpart Jan Spunar was far less busy, stopping 20 of 23 shots to earn the win in net.
The Blazers will now play three straight against U.S. Division rivals – in Tri-City on Friday before a pair in Spokane on Saturday and again on Nov. 19.
Their next home game will be on Nov. 22, when the Lethbridge Hurricanes stop by Sandman Centre during their B.C. Division road trip.
