WHL Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers Week in Review

Published on February 18, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Week in Review:

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013 at Vancouver Giants - 4-1 Win

The Blazers got goals from four different players and 22 saves from Cole Cheveldave in a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Giants. Joel Edmundson, Matt Needham, Colin Smith and Kale Kessy provided the offense in the win. Brendan Ranford had two assists for the Blazers. The Blazers have won all five meetings with the Giants this season with three more games left to be played.

Friday, February 15th, 2013 vs. Kelowna Rockets - 4-2 Win

On Saturday, the Blazers again had four different goal scorers as Dylan Willick, Tim Bozon, Brendan Ranford and Marek Hrbas helped the Blazers to a 4-2 win. Ranford had a big night for the Blazers scoring the game winning goal and adding two assists for a three-point night. Colin Smith added two assists in the win. Cole Cheveldave was between the pipes making 26 saves for the Blazers.

Saturday, February 16th, 2013 vs. Kelowna Rockets - 3-1 Win

Joel Edmundson's shorthanded goal led the Blazers to a 3-1 victory over the Kelowna Rockets on the road. Brendan Ranford opened the scoring before the Rockets replied. Edmundson's goal stood up as the winner with Marek Hrbas adding insurance late in the third period for a 3-1 win. Cole Cheveldave had the win in goal with a solid outing making 17 saves for his third win of the week.

Ranford Streakin'

Blazers 20-year-old forward Brendan Ranford has found his game and has arguably played his best hockey over the Blazers last nine games. The Edmonton native has four goals and 18 points over his past nine games. Ranford now has reached the 70-point plateau for the third consecutive season. He is the first Blazer to have at least 70 points in three consecutive seasons since Darcy Tucker from 1993-1995. Tucker had consecutive seasons of 89, 140, 137 points helping the Blazers to Memorial Cup wins in 1994 and 1995.

Brendan Ranford and Colin Smith are each making their way up the Kamloops Blazers / Jr. Oilers scoring charts.

Some highlights of Ranford's career stats include:

- Seventh player all time to reach 200+ career assists

- Only the 10th player to reach 300+ points

- Only six games shy of C.J. Stretch's record of 341 games played. Can pass Stretch with his 342nd game on Saturday, March 2nd on home ice.

- 10th in goals scored with 132

- 7th in all-time scoring sitting nine points behind Hnat Domenichelli. Could become the first Blazer to 350 points since Darcy Tucker.

First Name Last Name GP G A Pts

Rob Brown 242 179 343 522

Greg Hawgood 310 147 326 473

Darcy Tucker 223 150 229 379

Dean Evason 171 141 236 377

Greg Evtushevski 239 135 232 367

Hnat Domenichelli 248 150 199 349

Brendan Ranford 336 132 208 340

Phil Huber 207 136 187 323

Mike Nottingham 207 153 165 318

Zac Boyer 247 119 193 312

Donnie Kinney 319 134 153 287

Robin Bawa 281 114 164 278

Darryl Sydor 227 77 197 274

Cal McGowan 214 112 156 268

Colin Smith 260 98 160 258

Blazers in the Playoffs, back-to-back 40+ win seasons

With a 6-0 win over the Everett Silvertips on Thursday, February 7th, the Blazers punched their ticket to the 2013 WHL Playoffs with a month to go in the regular season.

The Blazers (40-15-2-3) have closed the gap with the Kelowna Rockets (42-15-1-3) for first place in the B.C. Division to only three points. The Blazers and Rockets will meet three more times before the end of the season.

The Blazers have put together back-to-back 40-win seasons for the first time since the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons. The Blazers won at least 40 games in seven straight seasons from 1989-90 to 1995-96.

Head Coach Guy Charron has a career record of 137-91-7-12 with the Blazers over three and a half seasons. His 137 coaching wins with the Blazers is third all-time behind Don Hay (144) and Ken Hitchcock (291). He is eight wins shy of passing Don Hay's 144 victories as the Blazers Head Coach for second on the all-time list.

Kamloops Blazers Hockey School August 2013

The 2013 Kamloops Blazers Hockey School is now open for registration! Hockey School will be held from August 12th - 16th with the Blazers coaching staff, current and former players instructing.

Download the registration form by following this link or pick up a form from the Blazers Office. If there are any questions pertaining to Hockey School give Ashley Neuls a call at the Kamloops Blazers office at 250-828-1144.

Smith, Bozon and Lipon all reach Career Highs

It has been a terrific year for many players that have already achieved new career high totals. Colin Smith leads the way with 37 goals, 56 assists and 93 points playing in all 60 games this season. Smith has eclipsed his career high in goals and points set last year with 35 goals and 85 points. Smith also is the Blazers iron man playing in 249 consecutive games. He currently sits third in WHL scoring and is looking to become the first Blazer to eclipse 100 points since Erik Christensen in 2002-03.

Tim Bozon and JC Lipon are also enjoying career years. Bozon has 76 points which eclipses last year's total of 71. Lipon has 30 goals and 77 points which surpasses his previous career highs of 19 goals and 65 points set last season.

Others who have reached career highs in points this season include Chase Souto, Cole Ully, Sam Grist, Kale Kessy, and Landon Cross.

Recchi, 1993-94, 1994-95 Memorial Cup teams to B.C Hockey Hall of Fame

The B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame is inducting Kamloops native and Blazers owner Mark Recchi along with the 1993-94 and 1994-95 Memorial Cup winning Kamloops Blazers teams into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in Penticton on Friday, July 26th, 2013. For more on the announcement, follow this link.

Blazers Ranked 8th in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10

The Blazers back in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 with a 40-15-2-3 record. The Blazers moved up from 10th spot last week to 8th. The hockey club has been in the rankings for almost the entire season. The Blazers have either been honourable mentions or as high as second in the rankings.

Bowl for Kids' Sake

The Blazers are participating in the Bowl for Kids' Sake event sponsored by Canadian Western Bank and benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops & Region. Pledges will be taken at the Blazers Corner Store until Thursday, February 21st and online by following this link. Pledges will also be taken at Save On Foods on Monday, February 18th from 5:00pm-6:30pm. If you are between the ages of 10-15 you can Bowl with the Blazers!

Blazers on Sportsnet for Friday Night Hockey

You can watch the Blazers on Rogers Sportsnet this Friday, February 22nd when the Blazers play the Vancouver Giants. Game time is 7:30pm.

Community Service:

Monday, February 18th - Save On Foods 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Tuesday, February 19th - EDGE at 9:30am

Tuesday, February 19h - Kamloops Montessori School at 3:00pm

Injury Report:

Aspen Sterzer, Upper Body, week-to-week

Matt Needham, Upper Body, day-to-day

Team Leaders:

Goals - Colin Smith (37)

Assists - Colin Smith (56)

Points -Colin Smith (93)

+/- - Colin Smith (+29)

Rookies - Jordan Thomson (11)

PIM - Joel Edmundson (112)

GAA - Taran Kozun (2.34)

SV % - Taran Kozun (.912)

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2013


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