Emmitt Finnie celebrates against the Kelowna Rockets on Feb. 9, 2024. (Photo via Allen Douglas)
Emmitt Finnie’s first career four-goal night led the Kamloops Blazers to a 7-3 win over the Kelowna Rockets Saturday night.
Finnie – who scored two in Friday’s defeat to Kelowna and had two points in Wednesday’s win over Seattle – also extended his career-high regular season point streak to eleven games, as the Blazers picked up their seventh win in ten games.
“It obviously feels good, but getting the win definitely feels better,” Finnie. who also picked up an assist Saturday said post-game.
“The boys didn’t get the result we wanted last night, but I thought we came in here and we had great energy and we played a full 60 minutes.”
That’s a SEVEN goal week!
11 game game point streak! 🥳 https://t.co/MtheqvnV53— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 11, 2024
Kai Matthew opened the scoring for Kamloops in the first period at Prospera Place, but the Rockets led after 20 minutes, thanks to goals from Andrew Cristall and Caden Price.
THE SWEET DISH FROM PANTELAKIS TO MATTHEW! 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/nTXkMPjDCT
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 11, 2024
The Blazers scored three unanswered in the second to regain a lead they never lost again. Harrison Brunicke’s power play marker was sandwiched between a pair from Finnie as the Blazers led 4-2 after 40 minutes of action.
HARRY THE POWERPLAY SNIPER! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/19tXf6jbPX
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 11, 2024
Luke Schelter brought the Rockets back to within one in the third period, before the Blazers scored another three unanswered to pick up the two points on the night.
Matthew’s second of the night was sandwiched between another pair from Finnie as the Blazers picked up their fourth win in six games against the Rockets, with two games left in the season series.
COBRA KAI STRIKES AGAIN! 🐍 pic.twitter.com/2A2WBI9AcL
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 11, 2024
Blazers goaltender Jesse Sanche made 26 saves on 29 shots to pick up his second win in his hometown. Jari Kykkanen picked up the loss, as he stopped 34 of 40 shots he faced.
Blake Swetlikoff and Ashton Ferster finished with a pair of assists each, as the Blazers improved to 16-30-3-2 on the season, giving them 37 points in 51 games. They remain in last place in the Western Conference, but are now two points ahead of the Edmonton Oil Kings who are in last place in the WHL.
Kelowna drops to seventh in the Western Conference with a 24-25-3-0 record, good for 51 points in 52 games.
Next up for the Blazers is a home-and-home against the BC Division leading Prince George Cougars.
Friday’s game will be placed in Prince George with the Blazers set to return to Sandman Centre on Saturday, Feb. 17.
