Blazers blow it in third

The Kamloops Blazers started their WHL season on a sour note on Friday at Sandman Centre, giving up five consecutive third-period goals en route to a 5-2 loss to the Portland Winterhawks.

Zach Pantelakis and Max Sullivan were the goal scorers for the Blazers. Kyle Chyzowski (3), Kyle McDonough and Jordan Duguay scored for the Winterhawks.

The Blazers took a 2-0 lead into the third period after scoring two quick ones late in the second. Chyzowski’s first of the game made it 2-1 five minutes into the final period before the visitors poured it on, scoring four goals in the final eight minutes.

Dylan Ernst made 24 saves on 28 Portland shots. Ondrej Stebetak stopped 32 of 34 Kamloops shots.

Neither team scored on the power play. Kamloops had four chances and Portland had three.

Announced attendance at Sandman Centre was 3,732.

The Blazers will have to wait a while for the next crack at a win. Game 2 will go next Friday, Sept. 27, when the Seattle Thunderbirds visit Sandman Centre.