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scamperdog
09-05-2005, 07:11 PM
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS - WEEK IN REVIEW (from blazer web site)

Sep 4/05

THE WEEK THAT WAS

The Blazers are coming off what could be considered as their first three-game in three-night weekend after taking part in the Everett Pre-Season Tournament...emerging with with a 0-and-3 record.

The Blazers, dressing what could arguably have been their youngest lineup ever, opened the tourney with an 8-2 loss to Spokane on Friday. The lineup featured 12 rookies and with the ejections of Keaton Ellerby and Benn Olson midway through the game, it meant that of the 16 skaters left for the second half of the game, 11 were raw rookies.

Unfortunately for the Blazers, the Chiefs dressed 14 veterans, and they picked up 5 powerplay goals and a shorthanded goal in handing the Blazers their first loss in exhibition. Actually, after jumping out to a 3-0 first period lead, the Chiefs' saw the Blazers rebound, and their lead cut to 4-2 at the 4 minute mark of the third, before blowing it open with 4 goals 14 minutes, including 3 on the powerplay.

Tanner Irwin and Kevin Hayman scored the Kamloops goals, while Michael Maniago faced 43 shots in defeat.

The Blazers were 0-for-8 on the PP while Spokane was 5-for-13.

On Saturday, a somewhat older and more experienced lineup took the ice against Portland, a team whose regular-season roster is virtually set.

However, another shaky start to the game left the Blazers trailing 2-0 after one. After a scoreless second, the Hawks took a 3-0 lead less than a minute into the third on a Brian Woolger shorthanded goal. But the Blazers fought back with goals from Tanner Irwin and Kalvin Sagert to cut the lead to 3-2. Michael Funk capitalized on a Blazer miscue to put Portland back ahead by 2 before Marc Connors scored shorthanded with 3:26 play to bring the Blazers back to within one. With Kurt Kramer on the bench in the final minute, the Blazers pressed for the equalizer but came up a goal short.

Final shots were 41-29 Blazers...including 35-12 over the final 40 minutes.

The Blazers were 1-for-10 on the PP and 7-for-8 on the PK.

For Sunday morning's game against Vancouver, the Blazers went young again...dressing 11 rookies against the Giants, who were dressing 10 themselves.

It was a tight game throughout...with the Giants taking a 1-0 first period lead before the Blazers' tied it with Tanner Irwin's 3rd of the pre-season early in period three. With the shootout looming, the Giants broke the 1-all draw when David Rutherford's long wrist shot got through traffic and eluded Kurt Kramer at 17:44 for a 2-1 Giant victory.

Final shots were 22 apiece...with the Blazers 0-for-8 on the PP and 9-for-9 on the PK.

The Blazers went with a VERY young lineup on the weekend, leaving 8 veterans behind in Kamloops, 7 of whom are off to NHL camps: Devan Dubnyk (EDM), Roman Tesliuk (EDM), Moises Gutierrez (PIT), Kris Hogg (CGY), Matt Kassian (MIN), Ray Macias (COL), and Reid Jorgensen (DET, free agent). Terrance Delaronde did not play on the weekend due to injury.

On average, the Blazers were an entire year younger than their opposition over the course of the weekend.

By the way, the WHL is testing the new shootout format at the conclusion of every game in pre-season, including the ones here in Everett. The Blazers, therefore, took part in three shootouts, winning all three of them.

THE WEEK TO COME

Monday will be the team's first off-day since training camp began 11 days ago.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mark the first days of practice for the Blazers...with ice-times scheduled for 2pm each day at Interior Savings Centre.

The Blazers return to game action on Friday for their first HOME date of the pre-season...facing off against the Kelowna Rockets at ISC. Game time is 7:00 with tickets just $5 per person and $20 for the entire family! Contact the ISC Box Office at 250-828-3339 to reserve your seats.

Saturday night sees the Blazers hop back on the bus for the return engagement in Kelowna. Game time is 7:00 at Prospera Place.