For the Reporter
The Kamloops Blazers beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in a shootout Friday night at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops.
Kamloops, who shot first shot in the shootout, got goals from Cole Ully and Jake Kryski on their first two attempts. Both Mathew Barzal and Shea Theodore were stopped by Kamloops goalie Connor Ingram.
Seattle is 28-20-3-4 and in third place in the U.S. Division standings. They are five points behind the Portland Winterhawks and 10 points behind the Everett Silvertips.
The T-Birds travel to Everett to face the Silvertips at Xfinity Arena on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. They are at home at ShoWare Center on Sunday to take on the Victoria Royals at 5:05 p.m.
The T-Birds jumped out to 1-0 lead 1:52 into the first period on a power-play goal. Lane Pederson sent the puck from the left corner to Turner Ottenbreit at the left point. Ottenbreit crossed the puck to Ethan Bear. Bear took a slaps shot from the top of the right circle that deflected off a defenseman and past Kamloops goalie Connor Ingram.
Kamloops (22-29-3-3) tied the game 1-1 on a shorthanded goal by Joel Hamilton 59 seconds into the second period. Marc McNulty had the only assist on the goal.
The Blazers took a 2-1 lead at 13:53 of the second. Matt Needham knocked the puck past Seattle goalie Logan Flodell. Cole Ully passed the puck to Needham after it bounced of the end boards on a McNulty shot.
Donovan Neuls tied the game 2-2 with one second left in the second period. Shea Theodore passed the puck up to Neuls on the right wing. Neuls gained the offensive zone and got by the defenseman along the board. Neuls skated into the right circle and beat Ingram high with a backhand shot. It was Neuls sixth goal of the season. Scott Eansor had the second assist on the goal.
Both teams had 19 shots on goal after two periods.
The third period was a defensive affair as both teams looked not to give up a go-ahead goal. Kamloops had a 9-5 advantage in shots on the third and a 28-24 advantage after regulation.
Logan Flodell stopped 29 of 31 shots and his record is now 1-2-0-1.
Ingram, the game’s first star, had 26 saves 28 shots and his record is now 15-14-1-3.
SCORING SUMMARY
First period – 1, Seattle, Bear 10 (Ottenbreit, Pederson), 1:52 (pp). Penalties – McNulty, Kam (cross check), :31. Gropp, Sea (high-sticking), 15:51. Lipsbergs, Sea (boarding), 17:59. Wardley, Sea (roughing), 17:59. McNulty, Kam (roughing), 17:59. Ully, Kam (tripping), 19:19.
Second period – 2, Kamloops, Hamilton 11 (McNulty) :59 (sh). 3, Kamloops, Needham 18 (Ully, McNulty), 13:53. 4, Seattle, Neuls 6 (Theodore, Eansor), 19:59. Penalties – Kryski, Kam (slashing), 2:42. Theodore, Sea (holding), 7:33. Needham, Kam (goaltender interference), 8:17. Rehill, Kam (holding), 10:40. Needham, Kam (high-sticking), 15:49.
Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Neuls, Sea (hooking), 7:36. McNulty, Kam (cross checking), 8:01. Ottenbreit, Sea (embellishment), 8:01.
Overtime – No scoring. Penalties – No penalties.
Shootout – Seattle 0 (Barzal NG, Theodore NG). Kamloops 2 (Ully G, Kryski G).
Shots on goal – Seattle 7-12-5-4-0 28, Kamloops 10-9-9-3-1 32. Goalies – Seattle, Flodell 31 shots-29 saves (1-2-0-1); Kamloops, Ingram 28-26 (15-14-1-3). Power plays – Seattle 1-6; Kamloops 0-4. A – 3,935. Referees – Ryan Benbow, Adam Griffiths. Linesmen – Nick Bilko, Spencer Lockert.
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