Two goals in a 53-second span in the third period helped the Kootenay ICE to a 5-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers Tuesday at Western Financial Place.
Tyler King put home the eventual game-winner 8:02 into the third period, while Jaedon Descheneau and Rinat Valiev each chipped in with a goal and an assist as the ICE won for the 15th time in its last 19 outings.
Kootenay opened the scoring late in the first period thanks to Valiev, who powered his fifth goal of the season past Kamloops goaltender Connor Ingram just over a minute after Descheneau struck the crossbar on a penalty shot.
The Blazers outshot the ICE 13-5 in period one, and found the back of the net 4:35 into the second period on a wrist shot from former Kootenay forward Collin Shirley. Kamloops went ahead on a power-play seven minutes later when again, Shirley capitalized on a loose puck at the side of the Kootenay net.
Descheneau tied the game at 2-2 with 4:55 remaining in the middle frame with his team-leading 18th goal of the season.
The two teams stayed at level pegging until King's go-ahead marker. The 19 year-old defenseman snuck toward the net from the right point, collecting a cross-ice pass from Descheneau to score his fourth goal of the campaign.
Former Blazer Tim Bozon added to Kootenay's lead within a minute, snapping a rebound over Ingram's left shoulder.
Ryan Chynoweth rounded out the scoring with 6:38 to play, collecting his second goal in as many games.
Hoflin stopped 30 Kamloops shots, while Ingram made 22 saves in the Blazer net.
UP NEXT: the ICE break for the holidays until December 27th, when they host the Calgary Hitmen at Western Financial Place. Game time is 7:00 pm.