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WHL Kamloops Blazers

Great Effort In 4-2 Loss To Rockets

February 1, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Kamloops Blazers (11-36-2-3) put in one of their best home ice efforts of the season despite a 4-2 loss to the veteran laden Kelowna Rockets (41-7-0-3) on Friday night.

The Rockets scored the game's first goal on a long and quick shot by Myles Bell at the blueline. Bell's shot fooled goaltender Bolton Pouliot to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead only 1:15 into the game. The Blazers battled from there stride for stride with the CHL's top team. The Rockets added another goal late in the period on the power play. It was a tic-tac-toe play that Justin Kirkland finished into the open net for a 2-0 Rockets lead after the first period. The Blazers outshot the Rockets 12-11 in the period.

Justin Kirkland got an early power play goal as Pouliot coughed up a rebound for Kirkland to tap in as the Rockets took a 3-0 lead 2:13 into the second period. From there, the Blazers took over and were dominant at times. Deven Sideroff, who is a 16-year-old prospect for the Blazers, was the catalyst as he had a couple of outstanding chances that goaltender Jackson Whistle turned aside. Sideroff played on a line with 16-year-old Nick Chyzowski and 17-year-old Collin Shirley on the night.

The Blazers also had 15-year-old Jake Kryski in the line-up and he had a great chance using his speed to blow past a Rockets defender but put the shot wide. One of Whistle's best saves came at the end of the period as he robbed Chase Souto of an open net diving across to make a save to perserve a 3-0 Rockets lead headed into the third period.

The Blazers continued to push in the third period, but Whistle was outstanding in making 35 saves on the night. The Rockets added another goal on the power play as Myles Bell had an open cage after a scramble in front of the Blazers net for a 4-0 Rockets lead. The Blazers kept it coming in this one, desparately trying to score. Chase Souto was robbed by a sprawling Whistle on a partial break.

Finally, Cole Ully broke the shutout with a power play goal with 7:40 left in the game. Ully's shot beat Whistle on the blocker side to make it a 4-1 game. Despite the score, the Blazers kept it coming as Kryski had another great chance, but Whistle made the save. The Blazers made it 4-2 with 1:47 to play as Cole Ully barely got a puck past a sprawling Jackson Whistle. The play was originally signalled as no goal and the play carried on. After a whistle, they reviewed the play and it was ruled a goal. It was a great effort by the Blazers as they never backed down, but they lost 4-2 to the Rockets.

The Blazers outshot the Rockets 38-34 in the game. Jackson Whistle was outstanding in making 36 saves. Bolton Pouliot turned aside 30 shots for the Blazers

The Rockets were 3-for-5 on the power play, while the Blazers were 1-for-5.

The future was on display tonight as Deven Sideroff was outstanding for the Blazers and was the game's second star. Jake Kryski had some great chances tonight and was the game's third star.

These two teams will go at it again tomorrow night in Kelowna.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2014


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