Blazers box

From The Daily News of Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 . . .

THE SCORE
Seattle 4, Kamloops 2

WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers, who got another terrific game from G Justin Leclerc, were
beaten by a team that played a solid road game.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (22-24-1-2) remain eighth in the Western Conference, one point
behind the idle Chilliwack Bruins. Kamloops now is four in arrears of
Seattle (22-16-5-2).

THE SEASON SERIES
Seattle holds a 2-0-1-0 edge against the Blazers. The series concludes Feb.
6 in Seattle.

THE SCHEDULE
The Blazers have 11 home games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
That number will have dwindled to eight after the Spokane Chiefs play here
Wednesday. . . . The Blazers will play eight of their last 12 games on the
road.

THE DEFENCEMEN
Seattle D Scott Jackson, who is from Salmon Arm, played his 299th
regular-season game and he was rock solid. He ate up a lot of minutes on the
back end, as did former Blazers D Benn Olson, who has turned himself into a
quality blueliner.

THE CONCUSSION
Kamloops C C.J. Stretch has missed five games since suffering a concussion
Jan. 11 against the host Tri-City Americans. Stretch, who hopes to return
this weekend, says he feels great but that he is fighting boredom. . . . RW
Tyler Shattock, who has missed eight games with a broken leg, hopes to lose
his cast around Feb. 10.

THE CAPTAIN
After a players’ vote Tuesday, C Scott Wasden was named the Blazers’
captain. He replaces D Ryan Bender, who was traded to the Regina Pats.

THE ALTERNATES
RW Brady Calla and C C.J. Stretch were named Blazers’ alternate captains,
with D Nick Ross to wear an ‘A’ for home games and D Mike Gauthier to get it
for road games. D Victor Bartley and C Brock Nixon started the season as
alternates but were traded away. . . . Wasden, Calla, Ross and Gauthier all
are trade acquisitions.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. G Justin Leclerc, Kamloops. Gave his side a chance.

2. G Riku Helenius, Seattle. Big saves when needed.

3. RW Bud Holloway, Seattle. Two assists and lots of minutes.

UP NEXT
The Blazers are in Chilliwack on Friday, with the Bruins visiting Kamloops
on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m.