Blazers score four unanswered, hang on for 4-2 win over Chiefs

Photo: Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs

Connor Levis celebrates after opening the scoring two minutes into the first period on Friday in Spokane. The Kamloops Blazers beat the Chiefs 4-2.

Caedan Bankier scored a goal and two assists Saturday to lead the Kamloops Blazers to a 4-2 victory over the Chiefs in Spokane — the first win of the young WHL season for the Blue and Orange.

The Blazers were up 4-0 in the third period before Spokane scored a pair late to cut the lead in half, but that was as close as the hosts would get.

Connor Levis, Matthew Seminoff, Bankier and Ethan Brandwood were the goal scorers for the Blazers. Bankier and Drew Englot each finished the night with two assists.

Grady Lane and Cade Hayes scored for Spokane in front of an announced crowd of 7,572 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

Dylan Ernst made 33 saves on 35 shots to earn the win in net, his first victory of the season. Spokane goalie Mason Beaupit stopped 20 of 24 Kamloops shots in a losing effort.

The Blazers were one for three on the power play and Bankier’s goal came shorthanded at 3:19 of the second period. The Chiefs scored once on five power-play opportunities.

Carter Streek, a Kamloops product who plays left wing for the Chiefs, finished the night with one shot on goal and two penalty minutes.

The win moves the Blazers to 1-1 on the season, and they will have to wait nearly a week for Game 3, which will come Friday when the winless Victoria Royals (0-3-0-0) visit Sandman Centre. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.