Week in Review:

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ Everett Silvertips

The Blazers made their first trip to Everett on Wednesday and came up short as they fell 4-3 in a shootout. The Blazers got a first period goal from Mark Hall off a Jake Trask feed, but Everett replied would reply on the powerplay to tie the game 1-1 after the first period. The hockey club continued their strong play in the second, as Jimmy Bubnick would score a powerplay goal to give the Blazers the lead, but the Silvertips would once again reply with a shorthanded goal. The third period was the same story, as Bubnick would score again to give the Blazers the lead, but the Silvertips tied it shortly after on the powerplay to force extra time. Overtime solved nothing and the game would go to a shootout. CJ Stretch scored for the Blazers but Everett got goals from Byron Froese and Tyler Maxwell to win the game 4-3. Jon Groenheyde had a strong game in net stopping 40 of 43 shots he faced, but allowed 2 shootout goals. The Blazers were 1-for-6 on the powerplay and 6-for-8 on the penalty kill.

Friday, November 20, 2009 @ Seattle Thunderbirds

Kamloops battled hard, but weren’t rewarded as Seattle went on to win 3-1 Friday night. The Thunderbirds would score first on the powerplay, as the Blazers had to kill off a 5 minute major for boarding that Tyler Shattock received. The Blazers would reply shorthanded as Shayne Wiebe would score on a breakaway to finish the first tied 1-1. The second period was a back and forth period, as the Thunderbirds would get a goal from the half wall to take a 2-1 lead heading to the third period. The Blazers continued to put pressure on the Thunderbirds, but couldn’t stay out of the penalty box; Seattle would add another powerplay goal in the third period to win 3-1. Final shots on goal were 34-22 in favour of the T-birds. Seattle had a major advantage in the special teams as they were awarded 9 powerplays, including a 5 minute powerplay, going 2-for-9. The Blazers would only receive 3 powerplays going 0-for-3. Jon Groenheyde went the distance stopping 31 of 34 shots he faced.

Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ Chilliwack Bruins

On Saturday, the Blazers concluded their road trip with a win over the Bruins 4-3 in a shootout. The Bruins kicked off the scoring with a powerplay goal, but the Blazers would get a goal of their own from Tyler Shattock to tie the game 1-1 after the first period. CJ Stretch would score for the Blazers to help them take a 2-1 lead, but the Bruins would tie it with less than a minute to play in the second period. The Blazers once again scored early in the third period to take the lead, with Tyler Hansen picking off a pass and scoring his first career WHL goal. Chilliwack would send the game to overtime tying the game shortly after Hansen’s goal. Overtime solved nothing, and after a six round shootout the Blazers would be victorious. Shayne Wiebe would score the shootout winner. The Blazers were 0-for-5 on the powerplay and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill. Justin Leclerc was valiant in goal stopping 39 of 42 shots and 5 of 6 shootout attempts.

New Head Coach

The Kamloops Blazers introduced Guy Charron as the new Head Coach. Charron brings a wealth of experience coaching and playing in the NHL, AHL and QMJHL. Charron also was the Head Coach of Canada’s 1990 World Junior Team which won a gold medal. Most recently, Charron spent the last 3 seasons as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers.

The Trade

The Kamloops Blazers announced Sunday that the hockey team has acquired 20 year old goaltender Kurtis Mucha from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for a 4th round bantam pick in 2010. Mucha is the most experienced goaltender in the WHL with 213 games played. After acquiring Mucha, the hockey club put 20 year old goaltender Justin Leclerc on waivers.

Shattock on Team WHL

Tyler Shattock will be playing with Team WHL this Thursday, November 26th in Kelowna vs. the Russian Selects in the CHL Subway Super Series. The game will be broadcasted on Sportsnet at 7pm.

Three played to U-17 World Challenge

The Kamloops Blazers have three players headed to the U-17 World Challenge in Timmins, Ontario from December 29th - January 4th. Current Blazer forward JC Lipon and Mitch VanTeeling, a 8th round bantam pick in 2008 will suit up for Team West. Edmonton native and current Blazer forward Colin Smith will be a part of Team Pacific.

November is Kids Month

For the month of November, kids 12 and under get in to Blazer games for FREE if they are accompanied by a paid adult ticket.

WestJet Flight Nights

The celebrity item draw – for a toonie – on December 2nd vs. Edmonton Oil Kings and December 12th vs. Vancouver Giants can win you a trip for 2 anywhere that Westjet flies!

Smith Rolling

Rookie forward Colin Smith has put up 8 points in his first 8 games this season. He has recorded a point in each game 7 of 8 games this season, and has surpassed the 4 points in 8 games he collected last year as an underage player.

Team Leaders: 

Goals – Tyler Shattock (15)

Assists – CJ Stretch, Tyler Shattock (17)

Points – Tyler Shattock (32)

Rookies – Dylan Willick (16)

PIM – Brett Lyon (63)

GAA – Kurtis Mucha (3.13)

SV % – Kurtis Mucha (.905) 

Schedule: 

Monday, November 23rd, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Tuesday, November 24th, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Wednesday, November 25th, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Thursday, November 26th, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Friday, November 27th, Ice @ Blazers 7pm ISC

Saturday, November 28th, Blazers @ Bruins 7pm Prospera Centre