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!
Western Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2008
- Blazers week in review - Kamloops Blazers
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- Warriors Call Up Howden - Moose Jaw Warriors
- This Week In Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- Captain of Grey Cup Champs Guest Speaker at Third Annual Power Breakfast - Prince Albert Raiders
- Huge Interest Shown In Calgary Hitmen Lunar Celebration Game - Calgary Hitmen
- Burgers are Back - Swift Current Broncos
- Goals For Education Lottery First Time Buyers Draw and Early Bird Draw Fast Approaching - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Blade remind fans of game change - Saskatoon Blades
- Seven goals not enough for Chiefs - Spokane Chiefs
- T-Birds Win Wild Game In Spokane - Seattle Thunderbirds
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