WHL playoffs: Blazers avoid elimination by tipping T-Birds 4-2

SEATTLE – Matthew Seminoff and Ryan Hofer each scored twice and Dylan Ernst made 36 saves as the visiting Kamloops Blazers defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 on Saturday night to stay alive in their Western Hockey League Western Conference final.

The Blazers, who entered the game trailing the best-of-seven series 3-1, allowed the first goal, but stormed back with four of their own and then held on for the victory to force a Game 6 back in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday night.

Jared Davidson and Reid Schaefer scored for the Thunderbirds, who outshot the Blazers 38-30.

Seattle went 1-for-4 on the power play, while Kamloops was 0-for-2.

Game 7, if necessary, will be played Tuesday in Seattle.

The winner of this series will face the Winnipeg ICE in the WHL Championship series. The ICE won the Eastern Conference final by sweeping the Saskatoon Blades.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2023.