WHL Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers Week in Review

Published on March 5, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Week in Review:

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 at Portland Winterhawks - 5-2 Loss

The Winterhawks had a big third period in a 5-2 win over the Blazers. After a scoreless first period, the Winterhawks opened the scoring in the second period. Oliver Gabriel converted on a 2-on-1 for a 1-0 lead. The Blazers responded with JC Lipon setting up Tim Bozon for a one-timer to make it 1-1. The Winterhawks capitalized on some costly mistakes by the Blazers in the third period. Sven Bartschi was left alone in front and made it 2-1. Gabriel scored his second of the game on a floater from the boards. Matt Needham responded with a power play marker, but the Winterhawks scored twice more for a 5-2 win. Cam Lanigan took the loss in goal making 42 saves.

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at Everett Silvertips - 3-2 Win

The Blazers rebounded on Wednesday night in Everett with a 3-2 win. Matt Needham opened the scoring on a nice play set up by Dylan Willick and Brandon Herrod. Brendan Ranford was sent in on a breakaway and scored his 37th of the season for a 2-0 lead after the first period. The Blazers made it 3-0 when Brady Gaudet snuck in from the point and Colin Smith fed him a great pass for Gaudet's first of the season. The Silvertips looked to come back in the third period, but the Blazers played well in earning a 3-2 win. Cole Cheveldave was in goal and made 28 saves for the win.

Friday, March 2nd, 2012 vs. Kelowna Rockets - 6-3 Loss

The Blazers held a decisive advantage on the shot clock, 46-18, but couldn't keep the puck out of the net in a 6-3 loss. Brett Bulmer and Shane McColgan put the Rockets up early with two goals on the first three shots. Cody Chikie added a late power play marker for a 3-0 lead after the first period. A goaltender change occurred with Cole Cheveldave going out and Cam Lanigan coming in. Lanigan allowed a goal in the second period as the Rockets led 4-0 through two periods. The Blazers did not give up and finally got one by goaltender Adam Brown in the third period as Brandon Herrod scored a nice goal. Marek Hrbas made it 4-2 as his point shot snuck through Brown and a comeback looked likely with the Blazers dominating the play. The Rockets though took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to make it 5-2 and went on to win 6-3 adding an empty net goal. Cam Lanigan had the loss in goal with 8 saves.

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 at Kelowna Rockets - 4-3 OT Loss

As the Blazers concluded their fourth game in five nights, they couldn't muster up enough to get a win. The Blazers started well scoring on their first shift of the game as Chase Schaber's shot glanced off of Dylan Willick's skate for a 1-0 lead. The Blazers extended their lead in the second period as Bronson Maschmeyer found a rebound for his 14th goal of the season. The Rockets stormed back with a strong second period. Brett Bulmer, Mitchell Chapman and Madison Bowey all scored to give the Rockets a 3-2 lead. Austin Madaisky tied it up late in the second on the power play to make it 3-3. The Blazers had chances to extend the lead in the third period, but couldn't find a way. The Rockets won the game in overtime. Colin Smith was stopped on a breakaway, and the Rockets came down and Zach Franko's sharp-angled shot snuck through Cole Cheveldave for a 4-3 Rockets win. Despite the loss, the Blazers clinched their first B.C. Division title in 10 years with the point earned and the Vancouver Giants losing in Victoria.

Kamloops Blazers, 2011-12 B.C. Division Champions

The Kamloops Blazers have clinched the B.C. Division title for the first time since the 2001-02 season. The Blazers are three points back of the Portland Winterhawks in the overall WHL standings with 93 points and a 44-17-2-3 record.

The Blazers have already surpassed their win total from last season (29) with 44 wins, and are ranked 5th in the CHL Top 10. The Blazers have a WHL best 21-7-2-3 road record, which is the most wins by the Blazers on the road since the 1995-96 season. One of the most glaring stats is the Blazers dominance against its Western Conference opponents with a 36-8-2-2 record including a 15-2-1-1 record against the U.S Division.

Battle of Western Conference Leaders - Wednesday, March 7th

The Kamloops Blazers will host the WHL leading Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday night on home ice. The Winterhawks are three points in front of the Blazers in the WHL overall standings.

Wednesday will be the last Rain Check night of the season. Any unused tickets from the 2011-12 season can be exchanged at the Box Office for tickets to Wednesday's game. Wednesday is also the last A&W Teen Burger Night! If the Blazers score 4 or more goals and win, your game ticket can be exchanged for a FREE teen burger from the A&W Kamloops locations. Prior to the game, there will be a ceremony to honour Spike Wallace with the WHL Distinguished Service Award for his long-time contribution to the Kamloops Blazers and the Western Hockey League.

Wednesday's game will also be the start of the 'Jersey off our Back' raffle. In the Blazers final home game on Friday, March 16th, the hockey club will be wearing and giving away its 2010-11 RBK third jerseys. Fans purchase a $2 raffle ticket during the final three home games to be entered into the raffle. The proceeds will benefit the Blazers Education Fund and the Family Tree Family Centre.

Spike Wallace, WHL Distinguished Service Award Presentation

The Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club, along with the Western Hockey League, will honour long-time employee Spike Wallace with the WHL Distinguished Service Award prior to Wednesday night's game. WHL Commissioner Rob Robison will be in attendance to present Spike with the award. Spike will also drop the puck in a ceremonial face-off prior to the game against the Portland Winterhawks.

Playoff Tickets on Sale Starting Tuesday, March 6th

Kamloops Blazers playoff tickets will be on sale Tuesday, March 6th. The Blazers will open the first round of the playoffs tentatively scheduled for Game 1 on Friday, March 23rd and Game 2 on Saturday, March 24th. The Blazers first round opponent has not yet been determined but will be one of four teams: the Victoria Royals, Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips or Prince George Cougars.

To purchase your 2011-12 playoff tickets, contact the Kamloops Blazers Box Office at 250-828-3339. For questions about playoff tickets, please contact our Director of Ticketing, Todd Carnelley by phone at 250-828-1144 or by email at tcarnelley@blazerhockey.com.

Blazers are 5th in latest BMO MasterCard CHL Top 10

The Kamloops Blazers continue to be ranked high in the CHL Top 10. The Blazers are 5th in the latest rankings. The Blazers have been a fixture in the rankings during the second half of the WHL season. This is the fourteenth time the Blazers have been ranked in the CHL Top 10 this season. The new CHL rankings will be out this Wednesday.

Monster Mondays

To kick start your week, the Kamloops Blazers are offering game tickets for a low price of only $10. Every Monday, tickets can be purchased at the Kamloops Blazers Box office for only $10 for any scheduled home games that week. This promotion applies to non-premium seating and will be in effect for the remainder of the regular season. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Blazers Box Office. For more details, follow this link or contact Director of Ticketing, Todd Carnelley at 250-828-1144 or by email at tcarnelley@blazerhockey.com.

Kamloops Blazers Hockey School August 2012

The 2012 Kamloops Blazers Hockey School is open for registration! Download the registration form by following this link. If there are any questions pertaining to Hockey School give Ashley Neuls a call at the Kamloops Blazers office at 250-828-1144.

Family Fun Day on Sunday, March 11th

The Kamloops Blazers will be hosting their second Safeway Family Fun Day on Sunday, March 11th between 11:00am - 1:00pm at both the North Shore and Sahali Safeway locations in Kamloops. All the Blazers will be at the event as well as Digger, shooting nets, prizes and much more! The event is FREE to attend and open to all fans!

Download the Game Night Program to Win

The Kamloops Blazers are encouraging fans to download the game night program from blazerhockey.com for a chance to win! All you have to do is print the "Enter to Win" forms to the game for a chance at some great prizes. Draw boxes are located in front of the Kamloops Blazers Corner Store.

Home-and-Home Series with Giants this Weekend

The Kamloops Blazers will be in Vancouver on Friday night and back home Saturday, March 10th to face the Vancouver Giants. Saturday's game will have a pre-game ceremony with the Kamloops RCMP and the Blazers making a presentation to the E.D.G.E (Educate, Develop, Grow, Excel) program sponsors in the 2011-12 hockey season. The EDGE program has allowed the Blazers to share their stories with Grade 6 elementary students in Kamloops from a night walking the streets of Vancouver's well-know Downtown Eastside.

Saturday night will also feature Campbell's 'Take a Shot and Hunger'. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the game to donate to the Kamloops Food Bank. For every Campbell's product donated, Campbell's will match it with a donation of their own. Anyone who donates will have a chance to win an iPod Nano courtesy of Campbell's.

Promotional Schedule

Check out the promotional events schedule throughout the 2011-12 WHL season. For the Full Schedule.

Team Leaders:

Goals - Brendan Ranford (37)

Assists - Brendan Ranford (45)

Points - Brendan Ranford (82)

+/- - Tyler Hansen (+31)

Rookies - Tim Bozon (64)

PIM - JC Lipon (93)

GAA - Cole Cheveldave (2.61)

SV % - Cole Cheveldave (.910)

Injury Report:

Chase Schaber, Lower Body, Day to Day

Community Service:

Sunday, March 11th, Safeway Family Fun Day, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central