'HAWKS STORM BACK AND TAKE GAME 1

The Kamloops Blazers had a 3-1 lead evaporate in the third period as Winterhawks stormed back for a 5-3 win over the Blazers. The Blazers started the game right as Bronson Maschmeyer fired a puck at the net and Matt Needham tipped it in 24 seconds into the game for a 1-0 Blazers lead. The hockey club built on the lead as Jordan DePape found a rebound and buried his fourth goal of the playoffs to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead. The Blazers took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission as the 'Hawks had a 16-11 advantage on the shot clock.

The 'Hawks started to push back in the second period. Sven Bartschi set up Ty Rattie for his 11th goal of the season. Rattie's shot tipped off goaltender Cole Cheveldave's glove and went in to cut the Blazers lead to 2-1. The Blazers restored the two goal lead as Chase Souto created a turnover and fired a shot past goaltender Mac Carruth for his first goal of the playoffs. The Blazers carried the 3-1 lead into the third period.

The first nine minutes of the third period was solid by the Blazers. The 'Hawks pounced on their first chance as Ty Rattie fed Sven Bartschi on a 3-on-2 break and he cut the lead to 3-1 with eleven minutes to play. The 'Hawks tied it up at the ten minute mark as Rattie buried a rebound for his 12th goal of the playoffs. Brad Ross gave the 'Hawks the lead with just over five minutes to play on the power play and the 'Hawks led 4-3. The Blazers had their chances to tie the game. A 3-on-1 shortly after the 'Hawks fourth goal ended up with no shot on goal for the Blazers. The 'Hawks took two penalties in the last three minutes of the game. The Blazers could not find a goal and Ross added an empty net goal to give the 'Hawks a 5-3 win in Game 1.

The Blazers were 0-for-4 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill. Game 2 is tomorrow night in Portland.

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GAME HIGHLIGHTS