Dylan Ernst covers the puck during the Kamloops Blazers' 3-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets on Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo via Allen Douglas/Kamloops Blazers)
Josh Kelly scored his first career WHL goal Saturday night to help the Kamloops Blazers to a 3-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets in front of a capacity crowd at Sandman Centre.
Dylan Ernst also made 31 saves on the night to give the Blazers their first three-game win streak of the season, and their fourth win in five games.
The Blazers have also taken three of four meetings against the Rockets this season, with four more games to go in the season series with their B.C. Division rivals.
Kamloops led 2-0 after the first period thanks to goals from Czech defenceman Matteo Koci at 2:26 and Kelly at 7:37.
Koci’s seeing eye shot from the point was his first goal at Sandman Centre.
KOCI STARTS THE PARTY! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/UTN6mOpY95
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 28, 2024
The first of many for Josh Kelly! Congrats Kells! 🎉👏 pic.twitter.com/DIFIbm3Ctp
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 28, 2024
Andrew Thomson and Dylan Wightman traded goals in the middle frame to send the two teams back into the locker room with the score at 3-1 after 40 minutes.
“If you don’t at first succeed, try again” -Andrew Thomson, probably pic.twitter.com/ED8ley6x4s
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 28, 2024
Tij Iginla’s goal early in the third period brought the Rockets back to within one but it was all they could manage on the night. It was the 17-year-old’s first goal at Sandman Centre – the building where his Hall of Fame father Jarome made a name for himself in the mid-90s.
The Rockets grew into the game but the Blazers were able to hold on, as they were able to see out a minor penalty for too many men on the ice with a little over one minute to play.
Ernie and company hold on and close this one out for a BIG win to sweep the weekend series! Listen in… 🔈 pic.twitter.com/Rp0PgPw9RO
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 28, 2024
Ernst – who was named first star on the night – turned aside 31 of 33 shots to pick up the win in net.
Rockets’ starter Jake Pilon stopped 12 of 15 in 21:50 of action. He made way for Jari Kykkanen who stopped all seven shots he faced in 35:40 of relief work.
The Blazers improve to 13-28-3-2 on the season, but remain in last place in the WHL standings.
The Rockets – who have lost four in a row – drop to 21-22-3-0, which is good for sixth in the Western Conference.
Next up for the Blazers is a home game against the Wenatchee Wild next Friday, Feb. 2.
