Blazers box

From The Daily News of Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 . . .

THE SCORE
Kamloops 3, Seattle 2 (OT)
WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers, who were tighter than Michael Jackson’s cheeks in a 2-1 loss to
the visiting Chilliwack Bruins on Friday, were better but really didn’t hit
their stride until the third period and overtime.
THE FIN(N)ISH
They’ll be talking about RW Juuso Puustinen’s OT goal for a while. He
undressed a defenceman and then did a spin-o-rama on G Riku Helenius before
tucking a backhander in the short side for his second goal of the game.
Puustinen and Helenius, both from Finland, are buddies.
THE GOALTENDER
G Justin Leclerc, 18, was the best of the Blazers over the two games. He
showed terrific lateral movement and an ability to stay with the puck or the
shooter and make second and third saves. He stopped 33 of 37 shots and gave
his side a chance to win both games.
THE CENTRE
The Blazers have scored four goals in their two games and C Brock Nixon has
four points.
THE CONCUSSION
Kamloops D Darcy Huisman sat out with a concussion incurred in the first
period of Friday’s loss to Chilliwack. Once he is symptom-free for 48 hours,
he will return to practice, something that may happen by Tuesday or
Wednesday.
THE EX-BLAZER
Seattle C Jim O’Brien, who is out with a shoulder injury, originally was
drafted by the Blazers. A Minnesotan, he was in the U.S. National Team
Development Program before spending last season at the U of Minnesota. After
being drafted in the first round of the NHL’s 2007 draft, he signed with the
Ottawa Senators and joined the Thunderbirds, who had picked up his rights
after the Blazers dropped him.
THE CAPTAIN
D Thomas Hickey is the new captain of the Thunderbirds. Hickey, the fourth
overall pick in the NHL's 2007 draft, returned from the camp of the Los
Angeles Kings in time to play against the Blazers.
THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS
1. RW Juuso Puustinen, Kamloops. Two goals, including one to remember.
2. C Brock Nixon, Kamloops. In on all the offence.
3. RW Isak Quakenbush, Seattle. A goal and hard to play against.
UP NEXT
The Portland Winter Hawks will visit Interior Savings Centre on Sunday. Note
that game time is 6 p.m.