Blazers Return to the Postseason
March 10, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
The City of Kamloops hasn't seen playoff hockey for three seasons. That's going to officially change this year, as the Blazers locked up a playoff spot following a 3-2 road win against the Spokane Chiefs on Tuesday night.
You have to go back to April 26, 2013 for the last time the Blazers skated in the playoffs. That game, Kamloops, a 47-win-team in the regular season, lost 4-1 to a powerhouse, 57-game-winning Portland Winterhawks team, and effectively lost the Western Conference Finals 4 games to 1. It was the second straight 47-win season for the Blazers, and the second straight year of being ousted by the Winterhawks.
Now, after 14 wins in 2013-14 and 28 wins in 2014-15, the Blazers have improved in the standings once again this season with now 34 wins and four games to go in the regular season.
With a 34-25-5-4 record, the Blazers currently occupy the first Western Conference Wildcard spot, and their 77 points tie them for third in the B.C. Division with the Prince George Cougars, who have two more wins than Kamloops.
"We want to continue to play well moving forward, and we want to push Prince George for that third spot", Blazers Assistant Coach Mike Needham said on Radio NL. "We just want to continue to push and try and get that spot - not look behind, let's move forward."
Barely more than a month ago, the Blazers had a 23-22-5-3 record and were clinging to eighth place in the conference, trailing Prince George by 11 points. Flash forward to last night, when the Blazers remarkably caught up to Prince George in the standings thanks in part to going 11-3-0-1 in their past 15 games.
"You start to believe now that we have an opportunity", Needham said. "It's all about the process right now - how we play and how we go about our business... We've been really good lately, we're building on something and we really believe in ourselves."
The Blazers have effectively taken care of themselves in the past month, and have received contributions all through the lineup. Connor Ingram has led the way in goal, posting a 2.19 goals-against-average and a .938 save-percentage since Feb. 8th. Scoring has been spread out throughout the lineup as Kamloops has scored 54 goals in their past 15, while allowing only 36. The team's powerplay has been on fire as well, clicking at 35% in the past 14 games.
The Blazers have been playing their best hockey in a long time, and at no better time than the stretch run of the regular season. It should be an exciting finish for Kamloops, who play in Kelowna on Friday, at home to Vancouver on Saturday, and close out the regular season with a huge home-and-home series against Prince George on Mar. 18th and 19th.
It's unclear where the Blazers will finish in the standings, but what's certain is that the fans in Kamloops will once again be treated to playoff hockey.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2016
- T-Birds Announce Dates of Games 1 and 2 of First Round Playoff Series - Seattle Thunderbirds
- 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
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
