Blazers Box

From The Daily News of Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. . . .

THE SCORE
Kamloops 5, Prince George 2

WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers’ veteran players easily outplayed the Cougars’ most-experienced
players and the shots on goal — 38-18 — pretty much summed up this one.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (22-23-1-1) jumped into a tie for sixth in the Western
Conference with the Chilliwack Bruins (21-20-3-1). The teams meet tonight in
Chilliwack.

THE SEASON SERIES
The Blazers are 3-2-0-0 against the Cougars. The teams will meet five more
times this season, with the next games Feb. 1 and 2 in Prince George.

THE HIT
D Nick Ross came to the Blazers from the Regina Pats with the reputation as
a terrific open-ice hitter. He demonstrated that at 3:20 of the first period
when he unloaded on Prince George C Colin Haas, who was cutting across the
middle just inside the Kamloops line.

THE CLOSE ONES
Of the Blazers’ last six victories, four have been by one goal. That also is
true of four of their last six victories on home ice.

THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
The Cougars, after unloading some older players at the trade deadline, boast
the WHL’s youngest roster (17.682 years of age), while the Blazers (17.913)
are tied for 14th.

THE GENERAL MANAGER I
Prince George GM Dallas Thompson wasn’t in the building. He was in Edmonton,
along with numerous other WHL people, scouting a bantam tournament. Also in
attendance at that tournament is former Blazers GM/head coach Dean Clark.

THE GENERAL MANAGER II
Bob Gainey, the GM of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, was in the house last
night. His son, Steve, is a former Kamloops player and now is a part-time
assistant coach with the Blazers.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. C Alex Rodgers, Kamloops. Scored two, could have had six.

2. C Nick Ross, Kamloops. Big night on the blue line.

3. LW Ivan Rohac, Kamloops. Three assists.

UP NEXT
The Blazers are in Chilliwack tonight and face the visiting Seattle
Thunderbirds on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.