Blazers box

THE SCORE
Kamloops 5, Kelowna 3
WHAT HAPPENED
After a horribly tepid first period, the Blazers took over play in the second period. And a game misconduct to Kelowna D Luke Schenn killed any chance the Rockets had of getting back into it.
THE ROOKIE
Kamloops C Jimmy Bubnick, the fifth pick in the 2006 bantam draft, scored his first WHL goal. He is 81 and 54 behind the career totals of brothers Jonathan and Michael, respectively, both of whom played in the league.
THE HOME ICE
The Blazers hadn’t played a home game since Oct. 8. In the interim they played six road games, going 2-3-1-0.
THE DEFENCEMAN
D Mike Gauthier, acquired Tuesday from the Prince Albert Raiders, made his debut with the Blazers. After taking two first-period penalties and being in stir for Kelowna’s first goal, he settled down and stuck to business.
IN THE HOUSE
Former Hockey Canada and Toronto Maple Leafs head scout Barry Trapp took in the game. He now scouts for the Phoenix Coyotes.
THE DEFENCEMEN
Keaton Ellerby of the Blazers and Schenn were paired together during the Canada-Russia series in September. Both were selected Thursday to play for the WHL against a Russia team in the ADT Challenge in November.
THE ONE-GOAL GAMES
Of the Blazers’ first 13 games, nine have been decided by one goal or included an empty-net score. Kamloops is 3-5-1-0 in those games.
THE SERIES
The Blazers and Rockets will meet eight times this season. Game 2 in the series goes Tuesday in Kelowna.
THE DAILY NEWS
THREE STARS
1. C Jimmy Bubnick, Kamloops. Team loved his first goal.
2. LW Ivan Rohac, Kamloops. Skating and creating.
3. C Colin Long, Kelowna. Two goals.
UP NEXT
The Vancouver Giants, the defending Memorial Cup champions who aren’t the WHL’s defending champions, are in town tonight. Game time is 7 o’clock.