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Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Down Hitmen 3-2 in Shootout

December 12, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Blazers (25-7-1-2) got two goals from Colin Smith in regulation time, while Smith and Brendan Ranford each scored in the shootout to lift the Blazers to a 3-2 shootout victory over the Calgary Hitmen (20-7-1-3) on Tuesday night.

The Blazers were off to a slow start in the first period as the Hitmen were the better team. Tim Bozon had a couple of early chances but couldn't get his shots away. Zane Jones got the Hitmen on the scoreboard as he stepped around a Blazer defender and his quick shot beat goaltender Cole Cheveldave to make it 1-0. The Blazers took two late penalties and would start the second period shorthanded. The Hitmen outshot the Blazers 13-6 in the period.

The start of the second period saw the Hitmen enjoying a five on three power play. They would score as Spencer Humphries fed a pass to Brady Brassart who one-timed a shot past Cheveldave to make it 2-0 only 35 seconds into the second period. There was no panic in the Blazers game and they got stronger as the game carried on. Colin Smith got the Blazers first goal as he went to the net and buried a rebound off a Tim Bozon shot to make it 2-1 midway through two periods. The Blazers had a better effort in the period and outshot the Hitmen 9-5.

Early in the third period, the Blazers tied the game up. Tim Bozon gave a pass to Colin Smith who re-directed it top shelf to make it 2-2 only 19 seconds into the period. There was not many chances created from there as the game went to overtime.

In overtime, the Hitmen had the best chance as Victor Rask rang a shot off the post. In the shootout, the first two shooters were turned aside by the goaltenders. Rask scored the first goal for the Hitmen, but Colin Smith replied with a beauty. Cole Cheveldave turned aside the next shooter and Brendan Ranford scored the winner in the shootout for the Blazers.

Cole Cheveldave turned aside 24 shots in the victory, while Chris Driedger stopped 18 shots for the Hitmen. The Blazers were 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Hitmen finished 1-for-4.

The Blazers continue their Central Division road trip with a date against the Edmonton Oil Kings tomorrow night. The game can be watched on SHAW-TV starting at 6:00pm/PT.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2012


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