Blazers Burned 3-1 in Seattle
December 2, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
The Kamloops Blazers (21-7-1-2) overcame a third period deficit, but gave it back up minutes later as the Seattle Thunderbirds (14-13-1-0) skated to a 3-1 win over the Blazers. Joe Kornelsen recorded the lone goal for the Blazers. It was his first goal with the Blazers and first of the season. The Thunderbirds got 30 saves from goaltender Brandon Glover and two goals from Roberts Lipsbergs.
The Blazers were buzzing early and looked to take a lead. Charles Inglis had two glorious chances but was turned aside but goaltender Brandon Glover. The Blazers didn't give up much in the period and when they did, goaltender Taran Kozun was solid between the pipes.
The second period wasn't as good as the first for the Blazers. Brendan Ranford had an early point blank chance but fired it off Glover's pad. The Thunderbirds got on the scoreboard first as Conner Honey and Roberts Lipsbergs went in on a two on one. Lipsbergs took a feed from Honey and deked out Kozun to make it 1-0 midway through the period. The Blazers had two more great chances from Inglis and Tim Bozon but both missed the net.
The Thunderbirds carried their strong play into the third period and protected the lead well. JC Lipon set up Colin Smith for a chance to tie it, but a Thunderbird defender got his stick in the way to deny Smith. The Blazers gained life as Joe Kornelsen drove to the net and buried a backhander passed Glover to even the score at 1-1. A turnover in the offensive zone led to a rush as Riley Sheen dropped a pass for Justin Hickman who wired a shot past Kozun from the offensive zone face-off circle as the Thunderbirds took a 2-1 lead with 3:08 to play. The Blazers took the puck to the net in the final minute and banged away but were denied by Glover. A clearing attempt by Lipsbergs bounced its way into the Blazers empty net with 40 seconds remaining to give the Thunderbirds a 3-1 victory.
With the loss, the Blazers drop to 21-7-1-2 on the season and finished the weekend going 1-1-0-1. Goaltender Taran Kozun made 28 saves in the loss for the Blazers.
The Blazers return home tonight to prepare for a game against the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday night.
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