The Kamloops Blazers battled back from a 3-1 third period deficit to defeat the Vancouver Giants 5-4 in a shootout.

The Blazers had a strong first period building up an 8-0 lead on the shot clock through the first five minutes of the game. They hit two posts in the first period as they outshot the Giants 15-7 in the period. Ryan Kubic was starting in goal for the Giants and he was sharp, turning aside all 15 shots. Bolton Pouliot was in goal for the Blazers and he was solid with seven saves in the period.

The Giants scored first, five minutes into the second period. Arvin Atwal’s point shot fooled everyone as it beat Pouliot to make it 1-0 for the Giants. The Blazers responded shortly after. 16-year-old Quinn Benjafield put a good shot on goal and Eric Krienke was there to put home the Blazers first goal of the preseason. The Giants came back a minute and a half later, as Carter Popoff scored on a centering pass to make it 2-1.

The Blazers changed goaltenders at the midway point of the game with Pouliot leaving the game after stopping 12 of 14 shots. Connor Ingram made his debut and was scored on with just over five minutes to play in the period. Jesse Roach got a lucky one as his shot was turned aside by Ingram, but the rebound bounced off a Blazers defender and past Ingram for a 3-1 Giants lead through two periods.

The Blazers dominated on the shot clock all night and continued to pressure the Giants in the third period. Cole Ully brought the Blazers to within one goal scoring on a rebound off a shot from Patrik Maier. The Giants came back shortly after as Matt Bellerive scored a power play goal to regain the two goal lead.

The Blazers got back within a goal only 16 seconds later. Cole Ully won a faceoff back to Dawson Davidson and Jesse Zaharichuk tipped home the shot to cut the deficit to 4-3. The Blazers tied it up with 7:48 to go as Matt Revel tipped a shot from Cole Ully past goaltender Ryan Kubic.

The game went to overtime with both teams unable to score. In the shootout, Cole Ully and Jesse Shynkaruk each scored for the Blazers, while Connor Ingram stopped two of the three Giants shooters to help the Blazers to a 5-4 shootout win.

Ingram finished the game stopping 8 of 10 shots.

The Blazers finished the night 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Giants were 1-for-6. Final shots on goal were 48-24 in favour of the Blazers.

The hockey club will go to Kelowna Saturday to play the Rockets in their second WHL preseason game.

The Blazers next home WHL preseason game is Friday, September 12th when they host the Prince George Cougars.

GAME SUMMARY