Blazers Beat Chiefs 3-2, Clinch Playoff Spot
March 10, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
After missing the WHL playoffs for the past two years, the Blazers are headed back to the postseason for the first time since 2012-13, as Kamloops officially clinched with a 3-2 win in Spokane on Tuesday night.
The Blazers (34-25-5-4) sweep the season series against the Chiefs (30-27-5-4) for the first time since the 2003-04 season. With the victory, Kamloops also matches a season-best five game winning streak, and have won seven of their past eight games.
"We work all season to get to this point, now we're into the next season. We feel pretty good about the way we're playing now, we just need to continue to build and grow", Blazers Assistant Coach Mike Needham said on Radio NL.
Kamloops received goals from Quinn Benjafield, Collin Shirley and Spencer Bast. Garrett Pilon led the way offensively with two primary assists, en route to being named the game's first star.
Connor Ingram, who was the game's third star, had another pedestrian night on the shot clock, needing to make only 24 saves. Ingram stopped 20 shots in helping the Blazers to a 6-2-win last night over the Tri-City Americans.
"Tonight wasn't our greatest effort, to be quite honest; it was a little bit sloppy, but we found a way. We had solid goaltending and we scored enough goals, our powerplay was solid and we got a big win", Needham said.
The Blazers powerplay went 2-3 on the night and continues to be red hot. Kamloops has at least one powerplay goal in six of their past seven games, and has clicked at over 30% in their past 15 games.
"Both units have a little bit of a different look, and both units have been excellent", Needham said. "They got a little thing on the bench going on who can score first; it's healthy competition within and both units are doing great things for us right now.
"The biggest thing right now for us is to celebrate and enjoy getting into the playoffs, and then tomorrow we'll evaluate the Kelowna game on Friday and push for a win there and just keep going."
The Blazers will conclude for their four-game road swing against the Rockets on Friday in Kelowna.
The final two home games in the Kamloops Blazers regular season are Mar. 12th vs. Vancouver Giants and Mar. 18th vs. Prince George. For tickets to either of these games, call the Blazer Box Office at 250-828-3339, or click here to order online through Ticketmaster.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2016
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- Royals to Host Playoff Games on March 25th & 26th - Victoria Royals
- Jarrod Daniel Honored with Chiefs' Scholastic Alumni Achievement Award - Spokane Chiefs
- Sakowich and Sass Get Sneak Preview - Red Deer Rebels
- Top 50 WHL Players of All-Time: Leach, Allison, Hodgson Named to List by Fans - WHL
- Blazers Return to the Postseason - Kamloops Blazers
- WHL Playoff Tickets on Sale Tomorrow - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Cougars to Host Game #1 of the 2016 Canada Russia Series - Prince George Cougars
- Prince George, Edmonton to Host WHL Leg of 2016 CHL Canada Russia Series - WHL
- 2016 CHL Canada Russia Series Stopping in Edmonton - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blazers Beat Chiefs 3-2, Clinch Playoff Spot - Kamloops Blazers
- Rockets Edge Cougars 3-2 in Shootout Thriller - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Can't Overcome Early Deficit, Lose 3-2 - Spokane Chiefs
- Tigers Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Big Win - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hockey Hounds Game Worn Jersey Draw March. 11 - Medicine Hat Tigers
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