Game Day Report: Blazers Take on T-Birds
February 28, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
The Blazers will look to close out their weekend with a third win in as many nights.
Kamloops (29-24-5-4) is coming off a 4-2 home win last night against the Vancouver Giants, and were 3-2 winners in overtime on Friday against the Everett Silvertips. They'll take on the Seattle Thunderbirds (35-23-3-0), who also will play their third game in three nights. The T-Birds won 2-0 at home last night over the Silvertips, and 4-2 on the road on Friday over the Tri-City Americans.
With last night's victory, the Blazers are right in the thick of a tight Western Conference playoff race, holding onto the first wildcard spot. With 67 points in 62 games, they trail the Prince George Cougars for third in the B.C. Division by three points, with a game in hand heading into tonight. The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, sit second in the U.S. Division and trail the Division-leading Silvertips by three points.
Blazers captain Matt Needham hopes his group can take advantage of what may be a tired Seattle team, who are playing in their third building in as many nights
"We need to take advantage; their travel's a lot worse than ours, they'll be getting in late tonight. They're a good team and have been playing well this year. It's going to be a good game", Needham said.
Tonight's matchup will be the fourth and final meeting this season between these teams; the Blazers will look to pick up their first win over the T-Birds this season, having lost four straight games against Seattle dating back to last season.
Who's Hot:
Blazers - Matt Needham is coming off a hat trick last night against the Giants, having returned from a one game suspension. Collin Shirley had the game winning goal and two assists in Saturday night's win for the Blazers; he's picked up four points in the teams two games this weekend.
Thunderbirds - Mathew Barzal scored both T-Birds goals in the team's 2-0 win on Saturday night, and has four points in two games this weekend. Goalie Landon Bow has stopped 51 of 53 shots over the last two games and recorded a shutout against the Americans on Saturday.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2016
- Four Game Road Trip Starts with 3-2 Loss to Silvertips - Tri-City Americans
- Blades Streak Snapped at Five - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Report: Blazers Take on T-Birds - Kamloops Blazers
- Wheat Kings Lose in Overtime against Tigers - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Four-Goal Third Guides Americans Past Cougars 7-2 - Tri-City Americans
- Hurricanes Double up Oil Kings 8-4 - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blazers Down Giants 4-2 - Kamloops Blazers
- Rockets Beat Chiefs 4-3 in Shootout - Kelowna Rockets
- Overtime Heroics - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Everett blanked by Seattle - Everett Silvertips
- Hockey Hounds Game Worn Jersey Draw - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Blazers Double Giants 4-2 - Vancouver Giants
- Royals Win 6-2 over Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
- Kelowna wins in shoot - Kelowna Rockets
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