Blazers box

THE SCORE
Tri-City 5, Kamloops 4 (SO)

WHAT HAPPENED
The Americans played hard for 20 minutes and won, because they expect to
win. The Blazers played hard for 60 minutes and lost, because they haven’t
learned how to win.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (4-8-0-2) remain eighth in the Western Conference, four points
ahead of the Seattle Thunderbirds (2-8-0-1). The Americans (9-3-0-0) are one
point out of first place.

THE RIVALRY?
This was the first meeting between these teams since the Americans swept the
Blazers from the first round of last spring’s playoffs, outscoring them 20-6
in the four games. The Americans are 8-1 against the Blazers since the start
of last season.

THE 400 CLUB
Don Nachbaur, the Americans' head coach, has 392 WHL head-coaching
victories to his credit. The active leader at the moment is Don Hay of the
Vancouver Giants, who is at 395. All told, nine coaches are members of the
WHL’s 400 Victory Club.

THE OWNER
Dale Hughesman, the father of Tri-City LW Adam Hughesman, is a junior hockey
owner. A Winnipegger, he is one of four owners of the MJHL's Selkirk
Steelers. They purchased the junior A team eight years ago.

THE TOURNAMENT
If all the pieces fall into place, the official founding of a bantam hockey
tournament, to replace the departed KIBIHT will be announced Friday.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. LW Justin Feser, Tri-City. All he does is score big goals.

2. G Jon Groenheyde, Kamloops. Deserved a better fate.

3. RW Taylor Procyshen, Tri-City. Led the way in the third.

UP NEXT
The Seattle Thunderbirds are in town tonight. Game times is 7 o’clock.