Sports

A third period comeback by the Kamloops Blazers spoiled the Kelowna Rockets Western Hockey League home opener Saturday night at Prospera Place.

 

The Blazers scored scored three times in the final 15 minutes to defeat the Rockets 3-2.

For the second straight night, it appeared the two clubs were headed for overtime, but when Colton Hefley took a roughing penalty with just over two minutes left in the third, the Blazers pounced.

JC Lipon and Colin Smith set up Matt Needham for the game winner with just 33 seconds left.

It was the second win of the weekend for the Blazers over Kelowna after an overtime victory on Friday in Kamloops

Earlier in the period, Dylan Willick and Brendan Ranford scored four minutes apart to erase a 2-0 Rockets lead as the Blazers out shot Kelowna 14-4 in the period to earn the comeback win.

The Rockets dominated the opening 20 minutes and took the lead at the 13:10 mark when Zach Franko scored on the short side after being set up by Madison Bowey and Colten Martin.

Kelowna would out shoot the Blazers 13-5, but couldn't expand their lead.

In the second period, Filip Vasko scored his first ever WHL goal.

Vasko went scoreless through 51 games last season, but finally ended the drought after tipping in a point shot at 14:21. Mackenzie Johnston and Rourke Chartier earned the assists.

From that point on Blazers goalie Taran Kozun barred the door and kept the home side off the score sheet the rest of the way.

Kelowna hits the road for a pair of weekend games against Portland next weekend.

They return to Prospera Place against Vancouver October 3. For ticket information visit the Rockets website.