Blazers postgame box

THE SCORE
Kamloops 2, Kelowna 1 (SO)

WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers cooled off a red-hot Kelowna side, thanks mostly to a solid
third period and the lone goal of the circus.

THE SHOOTOUT
This was the second time this season the Blazers have been involved in a
shootout. After the last one, a 2-1 loss to the visiting Red Deer Rebels on
Nov. 6, a coach got fired. . . . The Rockets are 2-2 in the circus.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (9-10-1-1) are tied for seventh in the Western Conference, three
points out of sixth. The Rockets (11-7-1-2) are fifth, a point out of fourth
and five ahead of Kamloops.

THE SEASON SERIES
These teams will play eight times this season. They now have met three
times, with the Blazers having won twice despite being outscored 10-7. The
series resumes Nov. 30 in Kelowna.

THE TWIN TOWERS
D Tyler Myers of the Rockets, who goes 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, is ranked
No. 2 among WHL skaters, according to NHL Central Scouting’s rankings of
2008 draft-eligible players. Kelowna D Luke Schenn, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds,
is ranked fourth. C Kyle Beach of the Everett Silvertips, who is from
Kelowna, is the top-ranked skater. Kamloops D Jordan Rowley is at No. 24.
(WHL rankings are in Scoreboard.)

THE ROAD
Last season, the Rockets finished with a 6-26-2-2 road record. With this
season not yet one-third complete, they already have won six times away from
home where they are 6-3-0-1.

THE CENTRE
Unable to get the test scores needed to get into Michigan Tech, C Casey
Pierro-Zabotel, who is from Kamloops, has decided to leave the BCHL’s
Merritt Centennials and join the Vancouver Giants. He will wear No. 17 and
is expected to practice with his new club today.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. D Victor Bartley, Kamloops. Best player on the ice.

2. D Luke Schenn, Kelowna. Take-charge guy.

3. LW Ivan Rohac, Kamloops. Mr. Excitement.

UP NEXT
The Blazers meet the Winter Hawks in Portland on Friday and the Bruins in
Chilliwack on Saturday before returning home to face the Everett Silvertips
on Tuesday.