Kamloops Blazers Week in Review
February 25, 2013 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
Week in Review:
Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 vs. Portland Winterhawks - 3-0 Loss
The Winterhawks played a solid road game in scoring timely goals in a 3-0 win over the Blazers. The Blazers had their chances but were turned aside by goaltender Mac Carruth. Brendan Leipsic had a goal and an assist and Oliver Bjorkstrand finished with two assists for the Winterhawks. Recap and Highlights.
Friday, February 22nd, 2013 at Vancouver Giants - 6-0 Win
Brendan Ranford scored the game winning goal 10 seconds into the game as the Blazers went on to win 6-0 over the Giants. The Blazers had six different goal scorers with Ranford leading the way finishing with a goal and two assists. Colin Smith and Cole Ully also had multi-point nights with a goal and an assist. Cole Cheveldave earned his fourth shutout of the season. Recap and Highlights.
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 at Spokane Chiefs - 2-0 Loss
The Blazers played a solid road game but were stoned by goaltender Garret Hughson in a 2-0 loss in Spokane. The Chiefs scored two goals 28 seconds apart in the second period to gain the lead. The Blazers had some terrific chances in the third period including a breakaway by Brendan Ranford and post by JC Lipon. Recap and Highlights.
Ranford Ready to Set Record on Saturday Night at Home
Blazers 20-year-old forward Brendan Ranford is on the verge of setting a Kamloops Blazers record for most career games. Ranford has suited up for 339 games in a Blazer uniform which is only two shy of C.J. Stretch's 341 career games. If all goes well this week, Ranford will play his 342nd game on Saturday when the Blazers host the Vancouver Giants.
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 three 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 133
- 7th in all-time scoring sitting nine points behind Hnat Domenichelli. Could become the first Blazer to 350 points since Darcy Tucker.
- 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.
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 339 133 210 343
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 263 99 161 260
Blazers in the Playoffs, back-to-back 40+ win seasons
The Blazers (41-17-2-3) sit five points behind the B.C. Division leading Kelowna Rockets (44-15-1-3) with nine games left in the season. The Blazers and Rockets will meet three times over the final few weeks of the regular 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 138-93-7-12 with the Blazers over three and a half seasons. His 138 coaching wins with the Blazers is third all-time behind Don Hay (144) and Ken Hitchcock (291). He is seven 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 38 goals, 57 assists and 95 points playing in all 63 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 252 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 78 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.
Blazers Ranked 7th in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10
The Blazers are up to 7th in the BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 with a 41-17-2-3 record. 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. To view the current rankings, follow this link.
Community Service:
Monday, February 25th - School Visit 9:30am
Monday, February 25th - EDGE in Logan Lake 10:00am
Monday, February 25th - Bowl for Kids Sake at Bowlertime 5:30pm
Tuesday, February 26th - EDGE at 9:30am
Tuesday, February 26h - School Visit at 10:00am
Injury Report:
Aspen Sterzer, Upper Body, week-to-week
Matt Needham, Upper Body, day-to-day
Team Leaders:
Goals - Colin Smith (38)
Assists - Colin Smith (57)
Points -Colin Smith (95)
+/- - Colin Smith (+28)
Rookies - Jordan Thomson (11)
PIM - Joel Edmundson (123)
GAA - Taran Kozun (2.34)
SV % - Taran Kozun (.912)
Western Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2013
- Kamloops Blazers Week in Review - Kamloops Blazers
- Royals Present Guns and Hoses Weekend - Victoria Royals
- Weekly Ice Report - Kootenay Ice
- Chiefs Weekly Report - Spokane Chiefs
- Chiefs Make Roster Moves - Spokane Chiefs
- Tri-City Americans' Justin Feser Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Portland Winterhawks this Week - Portland Winterhawks
- Pat Chat - Regina Pats
- Rebels Edged 5-4 in Medicine Hat - Red Deer Rebels
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