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WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Reel in Fourth Straight Win over Rebels

February 18, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Blazers battled hard for a convincing 5-3 win over the Red Deer Rebels in a back and forth game at the Sandman Centre on Wednesday.

Red Deer opened the scoring at 3:36 of the first period on the powerplay courtesy of Ivan Nikolishin. The Rebels leading scorer finished off a pretty passing play on a back door feed from Michael Spacek.

The Rebels controlled much of the play in the first 10 minutes, but the Blazers bounced back later in the period. In the midst of a solid shift from the fourth line, where Jermaine Loewen laid a big hit and created two scoring chances around the net, Ryan Rehill responded with a shot from the point through traffic that beat Trevor Martin at 13:52 to tie the game.

Rehill tallied again to temporarily give Kamloops the lead at 6:16 of the second period. His powerplay goal was much like the first, a long shot from the point through traffic that beat Martin.

The Rebels responded right back, however, with two straight goals. Luke Philp snuck behind the Blazers defense and took a pass from Adam Helewka before beating Connor Ingram five hole on a backhand at 7:08. Philp scored again at 18:39 in the second after a mad scramble in the Blazers crease. Ingram made two stops of the goal line but couldn't stop the Rebels onslaught, as Philp squeaked a puck underneath him.

The Blazers responded this time, only 55 seconds later. Gage Quinney stole a puck in the Rebels zone and hit Jake Kryski, who fed Quinn Benjafield in the slot for a one timer over the glove of Martin at 19:34.

Kryski scored again early in the third on a Blazer powerplay. Off a Benjafield shot, Kryski shoveled in a rebound at 3:39 for the eventual game-winner. Collin Shirley added an empty netter off the post and in from his own zone at 18:58, which came after a great blocked shot by captain Matt Needham.

Eight different Blazers found the scoresheet and Connor Ingram made 40 saves for the win in his 100th WHL game.

"[Ingram] has been our best player. He's stolen some games for us and definitely held us in some games, so he's been a phenomenal player for us back there", Rehill said.

Rehill was named the game's first star after his two goal performance.

"I think this is the first time I've ever had two", Rehill The guys did well in front of the net to get good screens and get in front of the goalie. They weren't the prettiest shots".

For the Blazers (27-22-5-3), the win was their fourth straight to put them in sole possession of seventh place in the Western Conference. Kamloops now sits four points of the Prince George Cougars with the same number of games played.

For the Rebels (35-20-1-2), meanwhile, the loss is their fourth straight in regulation. The Rebels, who have stacked their lineup in preparation of hosting the Memorial Cup this spring, sit eight points back of the Lethbridge Hurricanes for first in the Central Division.

The Blazers now will head out on the road for the next four games, beginning Friday night in Victoria against the Royals.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2016


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