Blazers box

From The Daily News of Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 . . .

THE SCORE
Chilliwack 2, Kamloops 1

WHAT HAPPENED
Chilliwack outworked Kamloops and the longer the Blazers went without
scoring, the more frustrated they became and the tighter they squeezed their
sticks.

THE OPENER
This was the 27th home-opener in franchise history — 24 as the Blazers,
three as the Junior Oilers. Overall, the team is 21-4 with two ties in those
games.

THE STREAK
The Bruins now have won five straight regular-season games from the Blazers,
including the last four meetings from last season.

THE DEFENCEMAN
The Blazers lost D Darcy Huisman with concussion-like symptoms after a
first-period hit. He is doubtful for tonight’s game with the visiting
Seattle Thunderbirds, meaning D Kurt Torbohm is likely to play.

THE REUNION
Late in the third period, the Blazers moved RW Juuso Puustinen back onto a
line with C Brock Nixon in an attempt to get the offence going. Their first
shift resulted in offensive pressure — and a 4-on-1 going the other way.

THE TOUR
Tom Gaglardi, the majority partner in River City Hockey Inc., the group that
will take over ownership of the Blazers perhaps as early as next month, was
touring The ATM with GM/head coach Dean Clark two hours before the game.
Gaglardi is expected to be in the house again tonight.

THE OTHER GUY
Mike Priestner of Edmonton, who also made a bid to purchase the franchise,
was in attendance, too. He didn’t get a tour. Actually, he was here to see
his son James, the Blazers’ backup goaltender.

THE WINGER
Talented RW Keegan Dansereau, 19, has been sent home by the Calgary Hitmen
for disciplinary reasons. Clark said he isn't interested in Dansereau who,
although he was Calgary's fourth-leading scorer last season, is known more
for his lack of consistency and disinterested defensive play.

THE GOALTENDER
Seattle goaltending coach Paul Fricker, to the Seattle Times, on Finnish
starter Riku Helenius, a 2006 first-round draft choice of the Tampa Bay
Lightning: "He really doesn't fit into a mold. He's really active, really
fast and does what he needs to do to stop the puck. He's fierce and listens
well. He's not conventional." Helenius is expected to start tonight against
the Blazers.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. D Nick Holden, Chilliwack. Workhorse, and a goal.

2. G Matt Esposito, Chilliwack. Should have had a shutout.

3. C Mark Santorelli, Chilliwack. Magician.

UP NEXT
The Blazers are at home tonight with Seattle providing the opposition. Game
time is 7 o’clock.