WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Set Franchise Record with 14th Straight Win

Published on October 31, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


It wasn't pretty, but the Blazers found a way as they set a new franchise record with their 14th straight victory 3-2 in a shootout over the Everett Silvertips on Tuesday night. The Blazers, who were playing their fourth game in five nights, were led by Colin Smith's shootout winner, while goaltender Cole Cheveldave stopped all three shooters.

It was a penalty filled first period as both teams couldn't seem to find a groove with the amount of power plays. The Silvertips tallied first on a 5-on-3 power play as Ryan Harrison's shot beat goaltender Cole Cheveldave to make it 1-0. The Silvertips had four power plays in the period, while the Blazers had three. Dylan Willick was awarded a penalty shot in the period, but fired wide. The Silvertips outshot the Blazers 10-7 in the period.

There wasn't much to speak of in the second period. Very few scoring chances were generated by both teams, with the Blazers holding a 9-4 advantage on the shot clock. The Blazers continued to trail 1-0 heading into the third period.

The Blazers had the puck more often in the third period but couldn't find one early on. Finally, at the 9:48 mark JC Lipon's shot was blocked but he got it right back and put home his 16th goal of the season to knot the game at 1-1. The goal didn't faze the Silvertips as they took the lead back only 1:05 later. Ty Mappin came streaking down the wing and fed Carson Stadnyk for a goal to make it 2-1. Again, the Blazers found a way as Chase Souto's backhand squeezed its way through goaltender Austin Lotz to tie it up at 2-2 with 5:21 to play in the game.

Overtime solved nothing, and the game was decided in a shootout. Tim Bozon was the first shooter and shot wide on Lotz. Ryan Murray was denied by Cheveldave. Brendan Ranford came in and hit the post. Reid Petryk was up for the Silvertips and Cheveldave stopped him. Blazers' shooter Colin Smith put on a great move dekeing out the goaltender and tucking home a goal to force the Silvertips to tie it. Cheveldave turned aside Ryan Harrison to give the Blazers a 3-2 victory.

Cheveldave made 20 saves for the victory and three more in the shootout to improve his record to 11-0-0-0 on the season. Colin Smith extending his season opening point streak to 17 games with an assist on Chase Souto's goal.

The victory is the Blazers 14th straight which breaks the franchise record of 13 straight victories accomplished twice before in 1986-87 and 1989-90 seasons. The win improved the Blazers record to 16-0-0-1 on the season. The Blazers finished the month of October with a 13-0-0-0 record.

The Blazers return to Kamloops tonight, before travelling to Kelowna for a game on Thursday, November 1st. The Blazers are back at home on Friday, November 2nd to host the Prince George Cougars to conclude a tough stretch of six games in eight days.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2012


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