WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Blast Tbirds 7-1 on New Year's Eve

Published on January 1, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Kamloops Blazers (10-25-2-2) closed out 2013 in style with a 7-1 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds (22-11-2-3) in front of a sold out crowd in Seattle on New Year's Eve.

The Blazers opened this one stuck on the penalty kill as the Blazers took back-to-back penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Blazers took advantage of a break killing off the second penalty. A Thunderbird defender had his stick break and Mitch Lipon picked up the puck in front of the net and scored his second goal of the year beating goaltender Justin Myles to make it 1-0 Blazers midway through the first period. The Blazers clung to the lead killing off all three penalties they took in the period. The Blazers took advantage late in the period as Joe Kornelsen put a shot on goal and Jesse Shynkaruk went for the rebound. Eventually, Collin Shirley put home his fourth goal of the season with 39 seconds to play to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead after the first period.

Hard work pays off and the Blazers were persistent all night and dominant at times in the second period. They outshot the Thunderbirds 17-6 and scored three times to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Cole Ully was set up on a nice pass by Collin Shirley to make it 3-0. Ryan Rehill potted his first WHL goal putting a puck on net. Finally, Tyson Ness took advantage of a rebound after some great work from Aspen Sterzer and Carson Bolduc to give the Blazers a 5-0 lead through two periods.

The Thunderbirds would get their lone goal of the night on the power play, but the Blazers weren't done as they replied with a goal on the next shift. Cole Ully and Joe Kornelsen both tipped a shot from Connor Clouston with Ully getting the goal to make it 6-1 for the Blazers. Joe Kornelsen added another shorthanded goal on a breakaway to give the Blazers a 7-1 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Blazers were 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Thunderbirds finished the night 1-for-7.

Taran Kozun earned the game's third star as he was solid in making 33 saves. Justin Myles started the game for the Thunderbirds stopping 10 of 12 shots in the first period. Danny Mumaugh played the final 40 minutes making 20 saves on 25 shots.

The Blazers will now head home briefly before heading up to Prince George for a doubleheader this weekend as they play the Cougars on Friday and Saturday night.

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