Blazers box

THE SCORE
Spokane 4, Kamloops 3

WHAT HAPPENED
The Chiefs, a team with 49 victories, did just enough to beat the Blazers, a
27-victory team that too often was lackadaisical and lethargic.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (27-38-2-2) are eighth in the Western Conference, three points
behind the Chilliwack Bruins with each team having three games remaining.
They meet Friday in Chilliwack. . . . The Chiefs (49-14-1-5) are tied for
first overall with the Tri-City Americans (50-16-2-2).

THE 300 CLUB
Kamloops D Mike Gauthier was honoured before the game for playing 300
regular-season WHL games. This was game No. 301 — the first 246 with the
Prince Albert Raiders, the last 55 with the Blazers.

THE GOALTENDER
Kamloops James Priestner, who blanked the Cougars 1-0 in Prince George on
Saturday, made his second straight start and his 17th start of the season
last night. It was the third time this season that the freshman from
Edmonton has made back-to-back starts.

THE DEFENCEMAN
Indifferent play resulted in Kamloops D Nick Ross being a healthy scratch
for Saturday’s 1-0 victory in Prince George. The Phoenix Coyotes, who
selected Ross in the first round of the NHL’s 2007 draft, had scout Rich
Sutter in Kamloops yesterday. He spoke with Ross before last night’s game.
Asked after the game how Ross performed, Sutter replied: “He was OK.”

THE SCHEDULE
Should the Chiefs and Blazers meet in the first round of playoffs, they will
go with a 2-3-2 format due to a scheduling conflict with the facility in
Spokane. Games 1 and 2 will be played in Spokane on March 21 and 22, with
the next three games in Kamloops — on March 26, 28 and, if necessary, 29.
Games 6 and 7 would be played in Spokane on April 1 and 2.

THE STREAK
This was the Chiefs’ seventh straight victory. This season, they have one
nine-game winning streak and two seven-game runs to their credit. . . . The
Blazers’ have one five-game winning streak and a three-gamer.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. D Justin Falk, Spokane. A goal, an assist and a big hit.

2. C Kenton Dulle, Kamloops. Another good night.

3. RW David Rutherford, Spokane. Plays well in this building.

UP NEXT
The Blazers are in Chilliwack on Friday and then close out the regular
season with visits from the Vancouver Giants (Saturday, 7 p.m.) and Prince
George Cougars (Sunday, 6 p.m.).