Kamloops, BC — The Cariboo Cougars scored four times in the first period in a dominating 9-1 win over the Thompson Blazers for their fifth straight victory, extending their unbeaten streak to a season high nine games.

It took forward Liam Blackburn just 29 seconds to open scoring from Logan Styler and Jordan Low for his first of three on the night as the Cougars leading scorer earned his third hat trick in the last four games. Logan Styler scored twice in the first, both from Blackburn and Braiden Epp, and added another late in the second for his first Major Midget League hat trick finishing the game with four points.

Donovan Law also tallied in the first as the Cats took a 4-0 lead into the second period. Tre Potskin, Eli Jarvis, Styler, and Blackburn all scored in the middle frame while the Blazers got their lone goal on the power play midway through the period for the 8-1 lead after 40 minutes.

With just two minutes on the clock in the third, Blackburn got his hat trick goal and fifth point of the game as the Cats tied a season high record nine goals going 2/3 on the power play. Epp had a three point night while Jarvis, Law, and Hards all had a two point game.

Nathan Warren earned his 18th win of the season with the Cats record now standing at 27-7-1, still six points up on the Okanagan Rockets for second place in the BCMML.

Blackburn now has 29 goals on the year and is tied with Luke Gordon for the Cariboo Cougar single season record. Styler now has 51 points on the year having far exceeded last year’s mark of 16 as he sits behind Braiden Epp’s 58 points for third in team scoring.

The Cougars and Blazers meet for the final time in the regular season this morning at 10 at Interior Savings Centre.