Sports

JC Lipon scored three times and Cole Cheveldave blocked all 25 shots he faced as the Kamloops Blazers blanked the visiting Kelowna Rockets 3-0 Sunday night.

The win moved the Blazers back to within three points of the Rockets atop the Western Hockey League's BC Division.

It's the third win for the Blazers over the Rockets in the last two weeks.

The two teams close out their season long series with back-to-back games Friday in Kamloops and Saturday back at Prospera Place.

Lipon scored twice in the opening period in a five minute span before the game was 10 minutes old.

He salted the game away early in the third period on a power-play with both Colton Sissons and Damon Severson sitting in the penalty box.

The Blazers, playing their third game in as many nights, shut down the Rockets in the final period, allowing only six shots.

Kelowna has now lost six of their last 12 games, all to teams in the top four in the Western Conference standings.

Over that span they have managed wins against Lethbridge, Seattle, Victoria (twice) and Everett (twice), teams which have combined to average 26 wins on the season, 20 fewer than the Rockets.

Kelowna plays host to Victoria Wednesday before what could be the division determining series with the Blazers.

The Rockets have six games remaining in the regular season while the Blazers have five to go.