WHL Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers Week in Review

Published on March 12, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Week in Review:

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 vs. Portland Winterhawks - 5-1 Win

The Blazers made a statement in a 5-1 home ice victory over the Portland Winterhawks. The Winterhawks scored first as Brendan Leipsic put home a rebound in the first period. Both goaltenders, Mac Carruth and Cole Cheveldave played well through two periods to keep it a 1-0 game. In the third period, goals by Colin Smith and Chase Souto less than three minutes apart put the Blazers up 2-1. Brendan Ranford then fed Jordan DePape with a beauty 2-on-1 goal. Brandon Herrod added an empty net goal, while Ryan Hanes chipped in with a late goal to make it a 5-1 final. Cole Cheveldave finished with 24 saves in goal. The Blazers held a 44-25 advantage on the shot clock. Full Recap and Highlights.

Friday, March 9th, 2012 at Vancouver Giants - 6-3 Win

The Blazers went into Vancouver and posted a 6-3 win chasing goaltender Adam Morrison out of the net after four goals. Brendan Ranford, who finished the game with two goals and three helpers, opened the scoring snapping a shot from the high slot on the power play. Brandon Herrod, who finished with three goals and an assist, made it 2-0. The Giants got one back, but Ranford made it 3-1 by the end of the first period when he won a puck battle on the boards. Herrod made it 4-1 as Ranford set him up in front of the net. The Giants scored a late goal to make it 4-2 through two periods. In the third, Herrod snapped a shot home to complete the hat-trick. Tim Bozon added a late goal, while the Giants scored a late power play marker for a 6-3 Blazers win. Jordan DePape finished the game with three helpers, while Cole Cheveldave made 23 saves for the win. The Blazers were 3-for-10 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Full Recap and Highlights.

Saturday, March 10th, 2012 vs. Vancouver Giants - 3-2 Loss

The Giants returned the favour in Kamloops as they stormed back in the third period for a 3-2 win over the Blazers. The two teams were scoreless after the first period, with the Blazers failing to score on a lengthy 5-on-3 power play. In the second period, a tic-tac-toe play with Brandon Herrod finishing it off gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead. The Giants tied it early in the third period as Marek Tvrdon scored a power play marker to make it 1-1. JC Lipon gave the Blazers back a 2-1 lead as linemates Tim Bozon and Colin Smith combined to make five passes before scoring. The Giants replied scoring twice as Tvrdon got his second goal and Nathan Burns scored to make it 3-2 for the Giants. The Blazers had some terrific chances in the dying seconds and thought they tied it with 4.6 seconds left, but it was determined the puck was kicked in, negating the goal. Cole Cheveldave took the loss with 22 saves. Full Recap and Highlights.

Playoff Tickets on Sale Now!

The Blazers will open the first round of the playoffs at home 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.

Fan Appreciation Night - Friday, March 16th vs. Prince George

The Blazers host their final game of the regular season on Friday, March 16th with the Prince George Cougars in town. Friday is "˜Fan Appreciation Night' with many prizes to be won.

The Blazers will be wearing their special edition orange jerseys during the warm-up. The jerseys will be given away at the end of the game to 23 lucky fans! Make sure to be at the game this Friday for a chance to win one of the jerseys. Raffle tickets are available for only $2 until the first intermission on Friday night. Proceeds will benefit the Family Tree Family Centre and the Kamloops Blazers Education Fund. Winners will be announced during the second period timeout.

There will also be a Van Houtte coffee maker, Sun Peaks passes and a flight from West Jet given away. For more information on Fan Appreciation Night, follow this link.

Final Week of the Regular Season

The Kamloops Blazers are into the final week of the regular season. The Blazers have three games remaining this week. They will be in Spokane on Wednesday, March 14th and finish the year with a home-and home series with Prince George on Friday, March 16th in Kamloops and Saturday, March 17th in Prince George.

The Blazers have already clinched the B.C. Division title with a 46-18-2-3 record and 97 points. The Blazers have had the biggest turnaround in the WHL this season with 33 more points and 17 more wins than all of last season. The Blazers are 22-7-2-3 on the road this season which is the best road record in the WHL with 49 points. The Blazers have recorded the most wins on the road for the franchise since the 1995-96 season. The Blazers have scored 55 more goals then last season with 274 which is 3rd best in the WHL. The Blazers have allowed 88 less goals at 197 which is 5th best in the WHL.

Country Star Jolene Landygo in the Sports Action Lounge Friday Night

Before, after and during the intermissions, No Ordinary Joe - Featuring Jolene Landygo will be playing in the Sports Action Lounge this Friday night. Your game ticket is your pass to the Lounge! Make sure to check it out on Friday night!

Kamloops Blazers Player Awards Presentation on Friday

The Kamloops Blazers will be handing out their annual awards prior to the start of Friday night's game! Make sure to get there early to see the award winners from the 2011-12 hockey season.

Blazers Fans Help Donate to Food Bank

The Kamloops Blazers would like to thank its fans for the donations to the Kamloops Food Bank at Saturday night's game! The Food Bank was able to collect 2500 pounds of food and over $1300 in cash!

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.

Safeway Family Fun Day Pictures

The Kamloops Blazers were at both Kamloops Safeway locations on Sunday to sign autographs and interact with fans! To view some pictures from the event, follow this link.

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.

Spike Ready for New Chapter in Life

The Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club and Spike Wallace have mutually agreed to part ways. The Blazers would like to thank Spike for his long-time service with the Blazers. Spike was awarded the WHL Distinguished Service Award on Wednesday by WHL Commissioner Ron Robison for his outstanding service to the Blazers and the WHL. For more, follow this link.

Blazers are 9th in latest BMO MasterCard CHL Top 10

The Kamloops Blazers continue to be ranked high in the CHL Top 10. The Blazers dropped to 9th in the latest rankings. The Blazers have been a fixture in the rankings during the second half of the WHL season. This is the fifteenth time the Blazers have been ranked in the CHL Top 10 this season. The new CHL rankings will be out this Wednesday. To view the CHL Top 10 Rankings, follow this link.

Team Leaders:

Goals - Brendan Ranford (39)

Assists - Brendan Ranford (50)

Points - Brendan Ranford (89)

+/- - Tyler Hansen (+34)

Rookies - Tim Bozon (67)

PIM - JC Lipon (107)

GAA - Cole Cheveldave (2.59)

SV % - Cole Cheveldave (.910)

Injury Report:

Chase Schaber, Lower Body, Day to Day

Chase Souto, Upper Body, Day to Day

Community Service:

None

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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



Western Hockey League Stories from March 12, 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