Blazers Week In Review
January 18, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
Week in Review:
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 vs. Portland Winterhawks
After changes at the trade deadline, the Blazers put in a terrific effort in downing the Portland Winterhawks 5-4 at home. The Blazers scored first as Colin Smith banged in a rebound and Jake Trask would follow that up with a goal of his own to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead after the first period. The hockey club continued its strong play into the second period as Austin Madaisky fired a shot passed Winterhawks goalie Ian Curtis to give the Blazers a 3-0 lead. Portland replied shortly after, but Dalibor Bortnak dashed through a couple Portland defenders to give the Blazers a 4-1 lead after two periods. The Blazers continued rolling as Bronson Maschmeyer gave the hockey club a 5-1 lead. The Winterhawks scored three late goals, but the Blazers hung on for a 5-4 win. Goaltender Kurtis Mucha earned the win stopping 30 of 34 shots faced. The Blazers were 2-for-5 on the powerplay and 5-for-5 on penalty kill.
Friday, January 14th, 2010 vs. Red Deer Rebels
The Blazers continued their winning ways downing the Red Deer Rebels 6-3 at home on Friday night. Team Captain Ryan Funk scored first for the river city kids and Brendan Ranford took a shot off the head to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead after the first period. The Rebels tied the game quickly into the second period, but the Blazers persevered as Jake Trask and CJ Stretch put the hockey club up 4-2 after two periods. Dylan Willick extended the lead to 5-2 in the middle of the third period. Red Deer would get one more goal, but Ryan Funk added an empty netter to solidify the win. Kurtis Mucha earned another win stopping 38 of 35 shots faced. The Blazers were 2-for-4 on the powerplay and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Saturday, January 16th, 2010 @ Seattle Thunderbirds
Making the trip to Seattle for their second game in as many nights, the Blazers prevailed 3-2 over the Thunderbirds. After a scoreless first period, highlighted by the Blazers killing off four consecutive penalties, the second period was much more exciting. The hockey club would open the scoring off a shorthanded breakaway by Brendan Ranford. Seattle replied shortly as Colin Jacobs tied it at 1-1. The period highlight would have been the tremendous tilt between Josh Caron and Scott Ramsay, with Caron getting the decision. Brendan Ranford scored on the powerplay at the end of the second period to give the Blazers a 2-1 lead. Jordan DePape added to the Blazer lead giving the hockey club a 3-1 lead. The Thunderbirds had a late push, but the Blazers prevailed 3-2. The hockey club was solid in going 6-for-6 on the penalty kill and 1-for-1 on the powerplay. Jon Groenheyde stood tall and had a relatively simple night while still making 45 saves for the win.
Top Prospects
Defenseman Austin Madaisky left the team after Saturday night's game in Seattle to play in the 2010 Home Hardware Top Prospects game in Windsor. Madaisky, who has a goal and two assists in 3 games with the Blazers this season, was an injury replacement. The Top Prospects game is on Wednesday, January 20th.
Central Scouting 2010 NHL Mid-Season Draft Rankings
The Blazers had two players ranked in central scouting's mid-season rankings. Newly acquired defenseman Austin Madaisky has been ranked 59th among North American skaters. Forward Brendan Ranford was ranked 168th among North American skaters.
Milestones
CJ Stretch has now played in 316 WHL games, all with the Kamloops Blazers. Stretch is only the 5th player to play 300 games in a Blazer uniform. Erik Christensen (304), Greg Hawgood (310), Donnie Kinney (319), and Aaron Gionet (324) are the others. Stretch has recorded 217 WHL points and is 25th on the Blazers all-time scoring list.
Blazer goaltender Kurtis Mucha is on pace to break three WHL records. Mucha has played 226 WHL games and needs to play 8 more games to have played the most games by a goaltender with 12,676 minutes played. He now sits second all-time in minutes played amongst goaltenders, and is only 98 minutes short of breaking Kyle Moir's all-time record of 12,774 minutes. Mucha is also now third all-time in saves for a goaltender with 6,431 saves.
Team Leaders:
Goals - CJ Stretch, Brendan Ranford (17)
Assists - CJ Stretch (33)
Points - CJ Stretch (50)
+/- - Josh Caron (+2)
Rookies - Dylan Willick, Jordan DePape (20)
PIM - Josh Caron (108)
GAA - Kurtis Mucha (3.15)
SV % - Kurtis Mucha (.903)
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Western Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2010
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- Portland Winterhawks This Week - Portland Winterhawks
- Blazers Week In Review - Kamloops Blazers
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- Hitmen To Play Three Home Games - Calgary Hitmen
- Kootenay Ice's Jesse Ismond Named Boston Pizza WHL Player Of The Week - WHL
- Everett Stops Seattle In Overtime - Seattle Thunderbirds
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