Vancouver Giants were ahead 1-0 at the end of the first against Kamloops Blazers, but four second-period goals did them in Saturday on the road at the Sandman Centre.
Giants Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson cited poor puck management.
“It was obviously a tough night,” Patterson commented. “I think we let some things that were out of our control get in the way. Second period was a couple mis-reads, just not managing the puck very well in the neutral zone, which were things that led to our success the prior night. We saw the contrast. We’ve got to turn the page quick.”
The Giants took a one-goal lead into the first intermission, but surrendered four second-period goals – many off the rush – to head into the third period down 4-1. Vancouver gave up a shorthanded goal 74 seconds into the third and then a 5-on-3 power play goal to make it 6-1, before the Giants got a late goal, making the final score 6-2.
Vancouver falls to 23-36-1-2 (49 points), while Kamloops improves to 28-22-7-5 (68 points), remaining in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Sam Charko and Will Sharpe each scored for the Giants.
Blazers forwards Nathan Behm, J.P. Hurlbert and Tommy Lafreniere combined for 10 points.
Behm and Lafreniere each scored twice, while Hurlbert and Jordan Keller provided the other Kamloops goals.
Giants wrap the weekend on Sunday at home at 4 p.m. for RE/MAX presents: Be A Superhero for Children’s Miracle Network.