WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers week in review

Published on February 12, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


The Kamloops Blazers went 1-1-1-0 in their three games last week to improve their record to 26-28-2-2 with just 14 games left in the regular season. The Blazers' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 4. Here's how last week went:

SEA-6, KAM-3: Riku Helenius made 37 saves as the line of Jim O'Brien, Ian McKenzie, and Prab Rai combined for 7 points en route to a 6-3 win over the Blazers in Seattle on Wednesday. Kenton Dulle gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead just 28 seconds in before O'Brien and David Richard put Seattle up 2-1 after one. Greg Scott made it 3-1 early in the second period before Matt Wray brought the Blazers back to within one...only to have O'Brien finish off a 2-on-1 to restore the 2-goal lead after two. Sasha Golin once again brought the Blazers back to within a goal...but Seattle scored a pair late - including an empty netter - with the Blazers gambling for the equalizer. Final shots were 40-37 Blazers as Justin Leclerc took the loss. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the PP.

KAM-2, KEL-1 (SO): Justin Leclerc made 31 saves in regulation and overtime plus three more in a shootout as the Blazers got past the Kelowna Rockets 2-1 on Friday night at ISC. After a scoreless first, Juuso Puustinen cashed in on a second period powerplay for a 1-0 Blazer lead which held until the 4:51 mark of the third when Tyler Myers capitalized on a 5-on-3. In overtime, Puustinen missed on a penalty shot at 3:58 of OT...setting up the shootout which the Blazers won 1-0 on Shayne Wiebe's second shootout winner of the year. Final shots were 32-23 Rockets with Leclerc earning his 20th win of the season while Torrie Jung took the loss. The Blazers were 1-for-5 on the PP and 5-for-6 on the PK.

EVR-2, KAM-1 (OT): Zach Hamill's OT winner on the powerplay lifted the Silvertips to a 2-1 win over the Blazers on Sunday night at ISC. After a scoreless first period, Lukas Vartovnik put the 'Tips up 1-0 on a nice individual effort at 15:54 of the second period. The Blazers would tie it at 7:45 of the third as Juuso Puustinen redirected Shayne Wiebe's centering pass past Leland Irving. The Blazers were unsuccessful on an early OT powerplay...with the 'Tips cashing in on theirs at 3:46 of the extra frame. The Blazers outshot Everett 31-23 with Irving getting the win and Justin Leclerc taking the OTL. The 'Tips were 1-for-6 on the PP while the Blazers were 0-for-2.

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Western Conference

GP

W

L

OTL

SL

PTS

PCT

GF

GA

x *Tri-City Americans

57

42

12

1

2

87

0.763

208

140

x *Vancouver Giants

56

37

13

1

5

80

0.714

196

126

x Spokane Chiefs

57

39

13

1

4

83

0.728

199

131

x Kelowna Rockets

57

31

18

2

6

70

0.614

207

169

x Seattle Thunderbirds

55

30

18

5

2

67

0.609

170

138

x Everett Silvertips

59

32

25

0

2

66

0.559

171

164

Kamloops Blazers

58

26

28

2

2

56

0.483

170

200

Chilliwack Bruins

55

24

24

3

4

55

0.500

160

176

Prince George Cougars

57

15

38

1

3

34

0.298

138

249

Portland Winter Hawks

59

9

48

1

1

20

0.169

105

258

THE WEEK TO COME

Monday: Off day

Tuesday: No skate

Wednesday: Practice 2pm, ISC

Thursday: Practice 2pm, ISC

Friday: GAME DAY vs EDMONTON OIL KINGS @ ISC; 7:00 face-off, 6:30 Radio NL-McDonald's Pre-Game Show

Saturday: GAME DAY vs VANCOUVER GIANTS @ ISC; 7:00 face-off, 6:30 Radio NL-McDonald's Pre-Game Show

Sunday: TBD

BLUELINER BREAKFAST

The final Blueliner Breakfast of the year is set for Sunday morning at 8:30 at Interior Savings Centre. Blueliners, be sure to make it out for your last chance for breakfast with the Blazers this season!

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2008


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