Week in Review:

Friday, December 11, 2009, Blazers @ Vancouver Giants

The Blazers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period, but the Giants replied with four goals of their own and an empty netter to defeat the Blazers 5-3. Bronson Maschmeyer started the scoring spree for the Blazers as a neutral zone dump in beat goaltender, Mark Segal. The Blazers then added a powerplay goal as Jimmy Bubnick potted a rebound off a Ryan Funk shot to take a 2-0 lead. The hockey club scored another goal on a powerplay as Shayne Wiebe pushed in a rebound as the Blazers built a 3-0 lead and chase Segal out of his goal. The Giants took over in the second period and scored 3 goals of their own to tie the game at 3-3 with a period to go. Vancouver’s Neil Manning scored on a powerplay in the third period to give the Giants a 4-3 lead. The Blazers pushed back with chances, but couldn’t beat Jamie Tucker and the Giants won 5-3. Final shots on goal were 47-29 for the Giants. Kamloops was 2-for-3 on the powerplay and 2-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Saturday, December 12, 2009, Blazers vs. Vancouver Giants

It was Teddy Bear night in Kamloops but the Blazers couldn’t muster up 2 points and settled for a 5-4 shootout loss. In the first period, the Giants scored first, but Jimmy Bubnick replied to tie the game 1-1 after the first period. The Giants scored twice in the third to take a 3-1 lead before Linden Saip cut the Giants lead to 3-2 after the second period. The Blazers tied the game midway through the third period as Matej Bene put a goal past Jamie Tucker. The Giants scored a powerplay goal to re-take a 4-3 lead, but the Blazers responded with Jimmy Bubnick scoring a powerplay goal of his own to send the game to overtime. Kevin Connauton was the lone goal scorer in the shootout to give the Giants the two points. Final shots on goal were 36-34 in favour of the Giants. The Blazers ended up 2-for-8 on the powerplay and only 2-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Milestones

CJ Stretch has now played in 303 WHL games, all with the Kamloops Blazers. Stretch is only the 5th player to play 300 games in a Blazer uniform. Erik Christensen (304), Greg Hawgood (310), Donnie Kinney (319), and Aaron Gionet (324) are the others. Stretch recorded his 200th WHL point on Saturday vs. Vancouver Giants. Tyler Shattock has 146 points in 206 games all with the Kamloops Blazers.

Deals, Deals, Deals

Two more players packed their bags over this past weekend. The Blazers dealt 19 year old defenseman Curtis Kulchar to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a 2011 fifth round bantam pick.

Sunday night, the Blazers acquired 17 year old forward Jordan DePape from the Brandon Wheatkings in exchange for 19 year old forward Shayne Wiebe. DePape comes to Kamloops highly regarded, as he is ranked in Central Scouting’s top 25 list for the WHL. DePape was the rookie of the year in the MJHL putting up 85 points in 55 games as a 16 year old.

Community Service

Monday, December 14th – Peter Puck skate and autographs 3:15-4pm

Tuesday, December 15th – EDGE 9am, Players visit Hospital to deliver Teddy Bears 7-8pm  

Team Leaders: 

Goals – Tyler Shattock (16)

Assists – Tyler Shattock, CJ Stretch (21)

Points – Tyler Shattock (37)

Rookies – Dylan Willick (16)

PIM – Brandon Underwood (71)

GAA – Kurtis Mucha (3.24)

SV % – Kurtis Mucha (.901) 

Schedule: 

Monday, December 14th, Practice 2:00-3pm ISC – Peter Puck 3:15-4pm

Tuesday, December 15th, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Wednesday, December 16th, Practice 2:00-4pm ISC

Thursday, December 17th, Practice 9:00-10am ISC

Friday, December 18th, Blazers @ Cougars 7pm CN Centre

Saturday, December 19th, Blazers @ Cougars 7pm CN Centre

Sunday, December 20th, Players go home for Christmas!