WHL Kamloops Blazers

Needham, Ully Big In 4-2 Win In Prince Albert

Published on December 13, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Kamloops Blazers (8-21-2-2) had a big night from their top players as Matt Needham and Cole Ully combined for seven points in a 4-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders (17-14-2-0) on Friday night.

For the first time in a long time the Blazers scored first in this one. Aspen Sterzer came in on the rush and fired a shot far side beating goaltender Nick McBride for a 1-0 Blazers lead 6:29 into the game. The Blazers were surprised as former Blazer goaltender Cole Cheveldave did not start in this game. The Blazers were good in the first period and took their 1-0 lead into the second period.

Prince Albert tied this one up on a shot from the point. They had the Blazers pinned in their zone and a clearing attempt came to Mackenze Stewart as he ripped a shot beating everyone for his first goal of the season to make it 1-1. The Blazers got a big boost shortly after playing four-on-four hockey. Matt Needham scored two goals 21 seconds apart as Cole Ully assisted on both of them lifting the Blazers to a 3-1 lead early in the second period. The Raiders had some life near the end of the period as they were awarded a full two minute five-on-three power play with 1:24 to go in the period. The Blazers penalty killers did a great job blocking shots and perserving the 3-1 lead going into the third period.

With 36 second left in the five-on-three power play, the Raiders got one back early in the period. Leon Draisaitl fed Dakota Conroy for a one-timer as he scored his 16th goal of the season 25 seconds into the third period to cut the Blazers lead to 3-2. The Blazers did a great job the rest of the way playing with the lead in the third period for the first time since early November. With 41 seconds to go, the Blazers added an empty net goal as Matt Needham's shot hit the post and Luke Harrison was there to clean it up for his fourth goal on the season as the Blazers went on to win 4-2.

The Blazers finished 0-for-1 on the power play, while the Raiders were 1-for-3.

Taran Kozun played terrific in goal making 39 saves for the win, while 16-year-old Nick McBride stopped 24 of 27 shots for the Raiders.

With the win, the Blazers improved to 2-1-0-0 on their six-game road trip through the East Division. The Blazers continue their road trip in Saskatoon tomorrow night and in Moose Jaw on Sunday night.

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2013


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