The Kamloops Blazers are one game away from the Western Conference final.
After losing their first game of the playoffs against the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday, Kamloops bounced back with a stellar performance on Thursday night.
Logan Stankoven led the way with two goals in the third period as the Blazers won 4-2 and took a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Stank!🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) May 13, 2022
Two third period goals!@LoganStankoven
📸 Rob Wilton pic.twitter.com/2gOfdQZr9I
It was Luke Toporowski who got things going at the Langley Events Centre in game four, as the trade deadline acquisition buried his sixth of the playoffs to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Before the first period was done, however, Giants’ captain Zack Ostapchuk beat Dylan Garand to tie things up at one apiece.
In the middle frame, Caedan Bankier would restore the Kamloops lead and the Blazers would take that 2-1 lead into the third, but Ostapchuk would tie it once again.
What do you tell your smart little saver when they have some extra cash money?
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 13, 2022
"TAKE IT TO THE BANK!" 💰@blazerhockey | @mnwild#KAMvsVAN | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/luqaaz9nT3
The Ottawa Senators draft pick drove the net and tipped in a puck that was thrown at the net from near the corner by Boston Bruins’ first-round pick Fabian Lysell.
As time continued to tick in the third, it looked like the game might need extra time, but Stankoven clearly wanted to get back to Kamloops.
After Alex Cotton took a tripping penalty with just over three minutes left to play, the Blazers powerplay went to work.
Stankoven one-timed a pass from Quinn Schmiemann through a maze of Giants players and past Jesper Vikman to give Kamloops the final lead of the night.
🎥 HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT 🎥@DallasStars prospect Logan Stankoven strikes late to give @blazerhockey a big Game 4 win. #WHLHoN | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/KeCFCOnfXN
— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 13, 2022
He’d add an empty netter for good measure, which paved the way for some rough stuff between the two BC Division rivals at the final buzzer.
Kamloops will now host Vancouver in game five tonight with a chance to close out the series and advance to the third round of the WHL playoffs.
There are still tickets available online if you want to be inside the Sandman Centre tonight for what should be a great battle.
