Week In Review
January 14, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
The Kamloops Blazers began a three-game win streak last week by posting a win over Portland and two victories over Chilliwack to move to 20-21-1-4 on the season - 6-2-0-1 since the Christmas break - good for a tie for 5th place in the WHL's Western Conference. Here's a breakdown of the week's action:
January 7th vs Portland - The Blazers got goals from 8 different players as they held on for an 8-6 victory over the Portland Winter Hawks on Wednesday night at ISC. The Blazers led 3-2 after one and 5-2 after two before the Hawks made things interesting in the third by outscoring the Blazers 4-3. The Blazers got goals from Giffen Nyren, Jimmy Bubnick, Tyler Shattock, Shayne Wiebe, Brendan Ranford, Alex Rodgers, Zak Stebner, and Brady Calla. The Hawks got two goals from Luke Walker with singles going to Sawyer Mick, Travis Ehrhardt, Colin Reddin, and Stefan Schneider. Final shots were 36-24 Blazers with Jon Groenheyde getting the win while Kurtis Mucha is saddled with the loss. The Blazers were 2-for-3 on the powerplay and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
January 9th vs Chilliwack - CJ Stretch scored the lone goal in a shootout as the Blazers rallied from 3-1 down to beat the Chilliwack Bruins 4-3 on Friday night at Interior Savings Centre. Brett Ward opened the scoring before Stretch tied it later in the opening period. The Bruins then took a 3-1 lead late in the first on goals from Alex Wiklund and Andy Smith. In the second, Kenton Dulle brought the Blazers back to within a goal before Jimmy Bubnick pulled the Blazers even with a powerplay goal with 4:01 to play in the third period - tucking one under Mark Friesen after a key face-off win by Seth Compton. Final shots were 37-35 Bruins with Justin Leclerc - who stopped all three Bruin shots in the shootout - getting the win and Friesen taking the SOL. The Blazers were 2-for-6 on the powerplay and 6-for-7 on the penalty kill.
January 10th @ Chilliwack - Justin Leclerc made 36 saves and Shayne Wiebe scored twice as the Blazers built a 5-1 lead and held on to win 5-4 in Chilliwack on Saturday night. The Blazers led 3-1 after one on goals by Wiebe and Kenton Dulle then 5-1 midway through the second with goals from Scott Wasden and CJ Stretch before the Bruins started the rally - ultimately falling short in their comeback attempt. Final shots were 40-30 in favour the Bruins with Leclerc getting the win and Lucas Gore taking the loss in relief. The Blazers were 1-for-7 on the powerplay while the Bruins were 2-for-7. Jimmy Bubnick chipped in with three helpers for the Blazers.
COMPTON ACQUIRED FROM CHIEFS
The Kamloops Blazers announce tonight the completion of a trade with the Spokane Chiefs which sees the Blazers add 20-year-old forward Seth Compton and a 3rd round selection in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for 20-year-old forward Brady Calla. "Seth is a player who works tremendously hard on every shift and has the experience of winning a Memorial Cup with the Chiefs last season," says General Manager and Vice President Craig Bonner. "We look forward to his contributions for the remainder of the season." Compton hails from West Richland, Washington and is in his 5th season in the WHL - all with the Chiefs. The 5'10", 170-pound left shooting centreman has 5 goals and 13 points in 39 games with Spokane. He has played a total of 265 games in his WHL career with 31 goals and 63 points. "We also thank Brady for his efforts in his time as a member of our organization," says Bonner. "We wish him all the best with his new opportunity in S! pokane."
BLAZERS ACQUIRE KULCHAR FROM GIANTS
The Kamloops Blazers announce today the completion of a trade with the Vancouver Giants which sees the Blazers add 18-year-old defenseman Curtis Kulchar, 3rd and 4th round selections in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, and a 2nd round pick in the 2010 Bantam Draft in exchange for 19-year-old defenseman Nick Ross and 19-year-old forward Alex Rodgers. "Curtis is a steady defenseman who fits in nicely with our younger blueline," says General Manager and Vice President Craig Bonner. "We feel he will help improve our back end this season and in the future." "We also feel it's very important to build our team through the Bantam Draft and by adding three selections to our upcoming drafts we are putting ourselves in a strong position to do just that," says Bonner. Kulchar is a 6'0", 185-pound right-shooting defenseman from Martensville, SK. He began his WHL career with the Regina Pats before becoming a Vancouver Giant at the start of the 08-09 season.&! nbsp; Kulchar has played 22 games for the Giants this season - recording one assist, 24 penalty minutes, and a +6 rating. Kulchar played 50 games - posting 3 assists - with the Pats as a 17-year-old. He also played 3 games with Regina as a 16-year-old. "We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Nick and Alex all the best in Vancouver," says Bonner.
BUBNICK AT TOP PROSPECTS GAME
Blazer forward Jimmy Bubnick is in Oshawa, ON taking part in the annual NHL-CHL Top Prospects Game. The game can be seen Wednesday night starting at 7pm on Sportsnet Pacific.
COACH, GM ON OPEN LINE
Head Coach Barry Smith and General Manager Craig Bonner will appear on Radio NL's Hockeytalk Open Line Show tonight from 5:30pm to 7:00pm hosted LIVE at Montana's Cookhouse.
THE WEEK TO COME
Monday - Off Day
Tuesday - Practice, 2pm @ ISC
Wednesday - Practice, 2pm @ ISC
Thursday - Practice, 2pm @ ISC
Friday - GAME DAY vs TRI-CITY, 7pm @ ISC
Saturday - GAME DAY @ PORTLAND, 7pm @ Memorial Coliseum
Sunday - GAME DAY @ EVERETT, 5pm @ Comcast Arena
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR
Monday, January 12th Aberdeen Elementary
Tuesday, January 13th Aberdeen Elementary (EDGE Program), Kay Bingham Elementary
Wednesday, January 14th Ralph Bell (EDGE Program), St Ann's Academy
Thursday, January 15th Rayleigh Elementary (EDGE Program), Arthur Stephenson Elementary
Peter Puck @ Ice Box Arena
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Western Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2009
- Chiefs Score Late to Defeat Portland 4-2 - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars Host Jersey Night - Prince George Cougars
- 2009 Backyard Rink Contest - Prince George Cougars
- Pink in the Rink Night a Huge Success - Chilliwack Bruins
- Hitmen hold top spot - WHL
- WHL Announces 182 Alumni have played in the NHL this season - WHL
- Week In Review - Kamloops Blazers
- Blades Edge Pats 5-4 - Saskatoon Blades
- Giants and Tigers Put on a Show - Vancouver Giants
- Top Prospects Show Their Skill - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Americans Defeat Bruins, 5-1 - Tri-City Americans
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