Linden Saip's overtime winner 3:23 into extra time gave the Kamloops Blazers a 5-4 OT win in Vancouver. Saip came off his blueline spot and found a loose puck in the bottom of the circle for the winner.
The Blazers didn't win in Vancouver last season in six attempts including playoffs. They also lost all six games in the season series/playoffs after being tied through regulation.
Chase Schaber played a great game centering the top unit. He scored once and added two assists and added plenty of grit.
Brendan Ranford and Dylan Willick scored goals while JT Barnett burned his former team for a controversial goal in third period to tie the game 3-3. The Giants felt Barnett interfered with goaltender Mark Segal before potting the rebound. The big screen replay crew played the clip over and over to incite the home fans and/or to show up the two officials on the night Nathan "18" Wieler and Derek Zalaski.
Jeff Bosch got his 2nd win in goal in as many nights making 34 saves. The Giants drove the net hard all night long making things difficult on the Blazers 'tender.
The teams meet again Monday afternoon at 2pm from ISC to conclude the home and home set.
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In my years I've seen plenty of Giants comebacks at Pacific Coliseum. They did it again tonight but with a twist. If they come back, they usually go ahead for good. Game-over. Not the case tonight as the Blazers fought back twice from being down a goal in the third.
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A Blazer win in Vancouver personally completes my list of calling a win in all 22 current WHL rinks. Let's hope it doesn't take another eight seasons for a win at PNE.
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I don't think anyone else noticed. We passed the the Kelowna Rockets bus on the Coquihalla just before 1am. They were headed to Everett, WA after posting their first win of the season with a 3-2 OT win against Prince Albert.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jon
2 comments:
Hey Jon, a bit of a knit-pick here, but there are actually 23 "current WHL rinks" as Portland plays home games in both the Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum. Kamloops will play in both this year - MC on Nov. 20 and RG on Dec. 15. See you there.
maybe I should have said 22 cities?
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