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Lindgren's short-hander stands as game winner as Blazers hang on to top Giants 2-1

Shorty lifts Blazers to win

Mats Lindgren scored the game-winner short-handed early in the second period at Sandman Centre on Wednesday as the Kamloops Blazers held on to beat the Vancouver Giants 2-1 — the third consecutive win for the Blue and Orange.

Luke Toporowski opened the scoring at 13:05 of the first period, a power play goal set up by Matthew Seminoff and Logan Stankoven. The goal was Toporowski’s fourth with the Blazers in three games since he was acquired from the Spokane Chiefs last week at the WHL trade deadline.

Lindgren’s short-handed marker came 57 seconds into the second period with Toporowski in the box for high sticking. He was assisted by Caedan Bankier and Ethan Brandwood.

Fabian Lysell scored the lone Vancouver goal at 12:39 of the third from Cole Shepard and Alex Cotton. That was all the offence the Giants would muster.

Dylan Garand made 27 saves on 28 Vancouver shots in the win. Giants goalie Jesper Vikman made 27 saves on 29 Kamloops shots.

The win moves the Blazers to 25-11-1-0 on the season, still good for first in the WHL’s B.C. Division — seven points up on the second-place Kelowna Rockets (20-10-1-3), who beat the Victoria Royals (12-21-4-1) in a shootout on Wednesday night on Vancouver Island.

The Giants fall to 16-18-2-0 with the loss. They are two points back of Prince George (17-19-1-1) and five points up on the cellar-dwelling Royals.

Those Royals will visit Sandman Centre this weekend for games on Friday and Saturday night. Puck drop both nights is 7 p.m.

The Blazers will then hit the road for a rematch with the Giants in Langley on Sunday.



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