Blazers Win Season Finale, Fall Short Of The Playoffs

March 22, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release

he Kamloops Blazers rode a strong first period in a 5-2 win over the Prince George Cougars in their final regular season game of the 2014-15 season with over 5000 fans in attendance.

The Blazers oushot the Cougars an astonishing 25-5 in the first frame and had a 3-0 lead.

Matt Needham opened the scoring on a rebound as he tallied his 25th of the season to make it 1-0.

Jake Kryski made it 2-0 outwaiting a sprawling Tavin Grant before sliding home his 11th goal of the season.

Collin Shirley made it 3-0 with his 26th goal of the year as the Blazers took the lead into the second period.

The Blazers sat back on the lead in the second period as the Cougars got a goal back.

Cal Babych was parked at the side of the net and scored on a rebound to make it a 3-1 deficit through two periods for the Cougars.

The Cougars tallied 48 seconds into the third period. Josh Anderson's long point shot found its way past a screened Connor Ingram to make it 3-2.

The Blazers added two goals in the final five minutes from Patrik Maier and Logan McVeigh as some insurance to make it a 5-2 final.

Cole Ully finished the game with three assists. He finished the season with a team leading 94 points.

Connor Ingram was the winning goaltender with 23 saves for the Blazers.

Despite the win, the Blazers were officially elimanted from WHL playoff contention shortly following the game.

The Tri-City Americans defeated the Spokane Chiefs 2-1 to clinch the final playoff birth in the WHL's Western Conference.

The Blazers finished the season 28-37-4-3 with 63 points. The hockey club showed a lot of improvement over the season, doubling their win total from the 2013-14 season.

Western Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2015

• Chiefs Cap Regular Season with 5-4 Loss to Everett - Spokane Chiefs
• Tigers 1st Round Opponent Set - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Hawks Close out Regular Season with 5-3 Win over Tri-Cities - Portland Winterhawks
• Tri-City Ends Regular Season with Loss at Portland - Tri-City Americans
• Royals Cap off Regular Season with Awards Ceremony - Victoria Royals
• Chiefs Announce 2014-15 Team Award Winners - Spokane Chiefs
• Hitmen Claim Seventh Central Division Title - Calgary Hitmen
• Rebels Announce First Round Playoff Series - Red Deer Rebels
• Hitmen Honour 2014-15 Award Recipients - Calgary Hitmen
• Eastern Conference WHL Playoff Picture Clarified - WHL
• Hitmen's Ralph Zander Receives Distinguished Service Award - WHL
• WHL Prospects Combine Coming to Delta - Vancouver Giants
• Chiefs' First Round Playoff Schedule Announced - Spokane Chiefs
• Historic Night Capped off with a 6-2 Victory - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Silvertips Gain Point to Clinch U.S. Division Title - Everett Silvertips
• Blazers Win Season Finale, Fall Short Of The Playoffs - Kamloops Blazers
• Western Conference WHL Playoff Picture Set - Kelowna Rockets
• Royals Clip Silvertips in Shootout - Victoria Royals
• Tri-City Clinches Playoff Berth with Win over Spokane - Tri-City Americans
• T-Birds to Face Portland in First Round of Playoffs - Seattle Thunderbirds

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