WHL Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers Week in Review

Published on April 2, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Week in Review:

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at Victoria Royals - 7-5 Win

It was a wild Game 3 in Victoria with the Blazers prevailing 7-5 over the Royals. The Blazers were hit with a big blow early in the game as Chase Schaber suffered a laceration to his leg and was lost to the hockey club. The Royals were the better team in the first period as Zane Jones and Jamie Crooks gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. The Blazers were had a strong second period scoring six times. Goals by Dylan Willick shorthanded and Tim Bozon at 2:55 of the period tied the game up. Landon Cross gave the Blazers a lead with a power play marker at 4:36 of the second period. The Royals battled back as Jamie Crooks scored twice to complete his hat-trick for a 4-3 Royals lead. The Blazers continued to score with three more goals as Jordan DePape, Matt Needham and JC Lipon each tallied in the last five minutes of the period to give the Blazers a 6-4 lead. The Royals scored an early goal in the third period, but Colin Smith restored a two goal lead with his first goal of the playoffs. The Blazers held on for a 7-5 win. Cole Cheveldave made 18 saves for the win. The Blazers were 3-for-6 on the power play and also scored two shorthanded goals. Full Recap and Highlights.

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at Victoria Royals - 4-1 Win

Without team captain Chase Schaber, the Blazers played well in closing out the series with a 4-1 win. The Royals opened the scoring again with Ben Walker burying a rebound to make it 1-0. The Blazers tied it up as Matt Needham blasted a shot past goaltender Keith Hamilton. The game was tied 1-1 through the first period. The Blazers won every game in the series with a strong second period, and nothing changed in Game 4. Brendan Ranford scored his first goal of the series on a breakaway and Dylan Willick added to the lead with a great shot to make it 3-1 Blazers through two periods. The hockey club had a strong third period and Willick added an empty net goal to give the Blazers a 4-1 victory. Brandon Herrod had three assists for the Blazers. The win gave the Blazers a 4-0 best-of-seven series sweep over the Victoria Royals. Cole Cheveldave stopped 30 shots for the win. Full Recap and Highlights.

Playoff Tickets on Sale Now!

The Blazers opened the best-of-seven WHL Western Conference Semi-Finals in Portland this Friday. The Blazers will return home for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, April 10th and Wednesday, April 11th.

Series Schedule:

Game 1 - Friday, April 6th Kamloops @ Portland 7:00pm (Memorial Coliseum)

Game 2 - Saturday, April 7th Kamloops @ Portland 7:00pm (Memorial Coliseum)

Game 3 - Tuesday, April 10th Portland @ Kamloops 7:00pm

Game 4 - Wednesday, April 11th Portland @ Kamloops 7:00pm

Game 5 - Saturday, April 14th Kamloops @ Portland 7:00pm* (Rose Garden)

Game 6 - Monday, April 16th Portland @ Kamloops 7:00pm*

Game 7 - Wednesday, April 18th Kamloops @ Portland 7:00pm* (Memorial Coliseum)

*If Necessary

For tickets to second round playoff games please call the Kamloops Blazers Box Office at 250-828-3339 or purchase online by clicking here. For further playoff ticket information please contact Director of Ticketing, Todd Carnelley at 250-828-1144 or by email at tcarnelley@blazerhockey.com.

Blazers to face Winterhawks in the Second Round

The Kamloops Blazers and Portland Winterhawks will play in the second round of the WHL playoffs starting this Friday in Portland. The Blazers and "˜Hawks have not met in the playoffs since the 1994-95 season when the Blazers downed the "˜Hawks 4 games to 1 in a best-of-seven Conference semi-final.

Between 1981 and 1995, the Blazers and "˜Hawks met nine different times in the playoffs during the 14-year span. The Blazers are 5-4 in those nine playoff series.

In the four-game season series, each team won a game at home and on the road. The Blazers were 5-4 winners in Portland on October 14th and 5-1 winners at home on March 7th. The Winterhawks won 4-2 in Kamloops on November 2nd and were 5-2 winners in Portland on February 28th.

Thomson and Gelsinger Join Blazers

The Blazers have called up 15-year-old defenseman Jordan Thomson and 17-year-old forward Brayden Gelsinger for the remainder of the WHL playoffs. Thomson was the Blazers 1st pick, 4th overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, while Gelsinger was listed by the Blazers this past September.

Schaber Out for WHL Playoffs

The Kamloops Blazers suffered a blow when team captain Chase Schaber went down with a season ending injury. The 20-year-old will not be able to suit up for the rest of the season, but his presence and leadership will continue off the ice.

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.

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.

Team Leaders Playoffs:

Goals - Dylan Willick (5)

Assists - JC Lipon (6)

Points -JC Lipon (7)

+/- - Dylan Willick (+6)

Rookies - Tim Bozon (4)

PIM - Colin Smith (8)

GAA - Cole Cheveldave (2.75)

SV % - Cole Cheveldave (.899)

Schedule:

Monday, April 2nd, Practice 2:00pm - 4:00pm, ISC

Tuesday, April 3rd, Practice 2:00pm - 4:00pm, ISC

Wednesday, April 4th, Practice 2:00pm - 4:00pm, ISC, Depart 11:00pm

Thursday, April 5th, Practice 11:00am, Memorial Coliseum

Friday, April 6th, Blazers at Portland, 7:00pm, Memorial Coliseum

Saturday, April 7th, Blazers at Portland, 7:00pm, Memorial Coliseum

Sunday, April 8th, TBA

Monday, April 9th, Practice 2:00pm - 4:00pm, ISC

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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



Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 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