Blazers down Rockets to qualify for the WHL playoffs

KELOWNA – The Kamloops Blazers broke a tight game wide open early in the third period to down the Kelowna Rockets 5-1 and qualify for the Western Hockey League playoffs Tuesday, March 19.

The two teams finished the regular season tied in points but Kamloops secured home ice advantage by having a better win-loss record against Kelowna in the regular season so the tiebreaker was held inside a packed Sandman Centre in Kamloops.

The teams went into the third period still tied at 1-1.

The Blazers took the lead at 6:10 of the third and followed that up with two short-handed goals over the next four minutes.

The playoffs start for the Blazers Friday against the Victoria Royals in Victoria with game two Saturday, also in Victoria.

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