Blazers scouting report

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS vs. KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
Today, 7 p.m., Interior Savings Centre (Radio NL 610)
PRINCE GEORGE (6-1-0-0): This is the first of nine straight road games for
the Cougars, who beat the visiting Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 on Wednesday.
By the time the Cougars next play at home on Oct. 29, they will have played
more than 25 per cent of their allotment of road games. . . . D Dallas
Jackson, who was acquired from the Regina Pats, leads the Cougars in goals
(4), assists (6), points (10) and power-play goals (2). . . . G Kevin
Armstrong, 20, is the go-to guy here. An offseason acquisition from the
Spokane Chiefs, he is 6-1-0-0 with a 2.25 GAA and a .927 save percentage. .
. . The Cougars’ roster includes two Kamloops natives — D Matt Cumming, who
turns 17 on Nov. 7, and RW Tyler Halliday, 19. . . . The Cougars have swept
home doubleheaders from Seattle and Chilliwack, something they didn’t do
even once all of last season. . . . C Marcus Watson (leg) is at home in
California recovering from surgery. . . . The Cougars meet the Rockets in
Kelowna on Saturday. . . . Injuries: C Marcus Watson (leg, out).
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KAMLOOPS (3-4-0-1): The Blazers haven’t played since Saturday when they lost
6-2 to the Hitmen in Calgary. . . . Kamloops began last weekend with a 5-2
victory over the Oil Kings in Edmonton. That snapped a three-game Blazers
losing streak. . . . Kamloops is sixth in the 10-team Western Conference. .
. . RW Jimmy Bubnick, who has three two-goal games, leads the WHL in goals,
with seven. Five WHLers have six goals each, including Kamloops LW Shayne
Wiebe. He scored six goals in his first five games but has been blanked in
his last three outings. . . . D Giffen Nyren has a team-high nine assists,
second in the WHL to C Casey Pierro-Zabotel of the Vancouver Giants, who has
10. . . . G Justin Leclerc gets the start tonight. He is 2-3-0-1 with a 4.25
GAA and a .862 save percentage. . . . The Blazers are at home to the Prince
Albert Raiders on Monday, 2 p.m., and fans will be able to skate with their
favourites after the game. So bring your skates and helmets. . . . Injuries:
C Mark Hall (knee, out).
— GREGG DRINNAN