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WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Week in Review

December 7, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Week in Review:

Friday, December 3rd, 2010 vs. Saskatoon Blades - 4-3 Overtime Loss

The Blazers had a 3-1 lead going into the final period but crumbled to a 4-3 overtime loss at the hands of the Blades. It was a good start for the Blazers as Colin Smith cashed in early on a 5-on-3 powerplay for a 1-0 Blazers lead. Goaltender Jeff Bosch had a good period stopping all 12 shots he faced. Bosch and the Blazers continued to cruise along smoothly into the second period. A costly error on the powerplay gave Darian Dziurzynski an easy shorthanded marker for a 1-1 tie. The team responded though as Chase Schaber scored on that same powerplay to make it 2-1. The team continued to press and play with confidence as Bronson Maschmeyer got the puck to the net and Logan McVeigh won the battle to get his 2nd goal of the season. The Blazers led 3-1 with one period to go. In the third period, the Blades struck early as Matej Stransky finished off a terrific play and made it 3-2. The Blades evened up the score midway through the period as Ryan Olsen struck for his 3rd goal of the season. The Blazers had trouble fending off the Blades attack, but were able to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Saskatoon was given a 5-on-3 powerplay and they converted, as Josh Nicholls scored the winner for a 4-3 final. Jeff Bosch was terrific for the Blazers stopping 39 of 43 shots he faced, while Steven Stanford earned the win as he stopped 30 of 33.

Saturday, December 4th, 2010 vs. Calgary Hitmen - 3-2 Overtime Win

It wasn't fancy, but the Blazers took the two points and ran as they downed the Hitmen 3-2 on home ice Saturday night. Bronson Maschmeyer opened the scoring with the Blazers first shot on goal. It was a weird one as the Blazers were in the middle of a line change, the defenseman dumped the puck on goal and it took a funny hop beating goaltender Brandon Glover. The Hitmen responded as a Jaynen Rissling shot appeared to hit both posts and the cross-bar before Kris Foucault tapped in the rebound for a 1-1 game through the first period. The Blazers had much more jump in the second period with 19 shots, but failed to score as it remained 1-1 after two periods. In the third period, Jordan DePape got rewarded for going to the net as Austin Madaisky blasted a shot and DePape cleaned up the rebound for a 2-1 lead. Only 28 seconds later, in a similar scenario, Rissling dumped in the puck from just over the red line on goal and it sneaked by goaltender Jeff Bosch to tie the game at 2-2, and send it to overtime. Blazers sniper Brendan Ranford, with his league leading 25th goal of the year, scored 16 seconds into overtime for an important 3-2 win. Jeff Bosch won his 10th game of the season stopping 17 of 19 shots. The Blazers were 0-for-2 on the powerplay and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Streaks and Leaders

Brendan Ranford has 47 points in 28 games so far this year which puts him 2nd in the WHL and his 25 goals lead the league. Ranford has points in 25 of the 28 games he has played this season and is on pace for a 50+ goal and 100+ point season. Who is the last Blazers player to accomplish that feat? Erik Christensen who had 54 goals and 108 points in 2002-03 to lead the WHL in scoring. Ranford's line mate Chase Schaber has 35 points this season which has him in a tie for 16th in WHL scoring. Schaber had a 12-game point streak end against Calgary on Saturday night.

CJ Stretch Enjoying Playing Pro Hockey Close to Home

The Kamloops Blazers leader in all-time games played with 341 is playing hockey with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Check out how the former Blazers sniper, who had 248 points in his WHL career, is adjusting to pro hockey. Click here for the story.

Prospect Update: Dallas Calvin

The Blazers listed 16-year-old Dallas Calvin in September 2010. The 6'3" 190lb forward from Trail, BC is playing for the Beaver Valley Nitehawks of the KIJHL Junior B league. He is 2nd in team scoring with 13 goals, 16 assists and 29 points in 29 games.

Underwood and Barnett or DJ OTP and DJ Woodsauce03?

Marty Hastings of Kamloops This Week shows another side of Blazers defenseman Brandon Underwood and forward JT Barnett as they talk about their love of DJing. Check out the story here.

A Trio of Games

The Kamloops Blazers play three games this week. The Blazers will be in Vancouver Tuesday night to face the Giants (14-11-1-3) in an important divisional game. The Blazers will host the Swift Current Broncos (16-16-0-0) for the first time since December 13th, 2008 in their annual Teddy Bear game on Friday, December 10th. The hockey club will leave immediately following the game for a date with the Spokane Chiefs (14-9-2-2) on Saturday night.

Team Leaders:

Goals - Brendan Ranford (25)

Assists - Chase Schaber (24)

Points - Brendan Ranford (47)

+/- - Chase Schaber (+8)

Rookies - Corey Fienhage, Logan McVeigh (5)

PIM - Ryan Hanes (84)

GAA - Jeff Bosch (3.51)

SV % - Jeff Bosch (.893)

Injury Report

Josh Caron, Broken Collar-Bone, one week

Jordan DePape, Flu, day-to-day

Community Service Monday, December 6th

* Daycare visit 9:45am * Booster Club Christmas Dinner 5:45pm

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2010


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