Blazers postgame box

THE SCORE
Kamloops 6, Portland 4
WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers did not look good at all until the last half of the second period when they finally solved Portland G Kurtis Mucha and took over the game.
THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (14-13-1-1) moved into a sixth-place tie with the idle Everett Silvertips (14-14-0-2) in the Western Conference. They are six points behind the fifth-place Kelowna Rockets.
THE SEASON SERIES
The Blazers and Winter Hawks won’t meet again this season. Kamloops won the series 4-0, outscoring Portland 19-10 in the process.
THE HOME ADVANTAGE?
The Blazers are 8-7-0-1 at home. In 2006-07, they lost seven home games all season.
THE FINE
Kamloops head coach Greg Hawgood has been fined $500 by the WHL for the game misconduct he took with two seconds left in Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the visiting Chilliwack Bruins. That was Hawgood’s 11th game since taking over as interim head coach.
THE JERSEYS
The Winter Hawks wore their third jerseys which is a shame, because their others — home OR away — are the nicest in the WHL. It was the fifth time this season they have worn the third jerseys.
THE SUSPENSION
Portland learned earlier Tuesday that Swedish RW Viktor Sjodin had been suspended for two games after incurring a checking-from-behind penalty Sunday in Vancouver. Giants D Neil Manning suffered a broken thumb on the play and has since had surgery.
THE GOOD DOCTOR
Dr. Saul Miller, a Lower Mainland-based sports psychologist who once worked with the Blazers, is helping the Winter Hawks and is on this trip with them.
THE DAILY NEWS
THREE STARS
1. C Brock Nixon, Kamloops. Involved and set up three goals.
2. RW Tyler Shattock, Kamloops. Two goals, should have been three.
3. Juuso Puustinen, Kamloops. Looked back in the game.
UP NEXT
The Prince Albert Raiders, including ex-Blazers G Dustin Butler and D Ryan White, are in town Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.