Blazers box

THE SCORE
Kamloops 3, Seattle 2

WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers played this one tight to the vest, limited the scoring chances
against, got good penalty killing and did a good job protecting a
third-period lead.

THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (24-24-1-4) are fifth in the Western Conference, five points
behind the Kelowna Rockets (28-19-0-2) and four ahead of the Everett
Silvertips (21-22-6-1), who got ripped 9-1 by the visiting Spokane Chiefs.

THE STRETCH STREAK
Kamloops C C.J. Stretch had his point streak snapped at 13 games. He had 20
points, including 12 goals, during that time.

THE HOMESTAND
The Blazers are two games into their longest homestand of the season. The
five-game stay concludes with visits by the Medicine Hat Tigers (Saturday),
Kelowna (Tuesday) and Everett (Wednesday).

THE SCHEDULE
The Thunderbirds moved into a new arena, the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash,
on Jan. 3, and, as a result, the first part of their schedule was heavy with
road games. They will finish by playing 15 of their final 21 games at home.

THE SEASON SERIES
This was the last meeting of the regular season between these teams. The
Blazers finished 3-1-0-0 and outscored the Thunderbirds 12-8.

THE DISCIPLINE
The Blazers have faced more opposing power plays and allowed more PP goals
than any other team. According to Alan Caldwell (smallatlarge.blogspot.com),
D Giffen Nyren is responsible for 26 opposing power plays during which 10
goals have been scored. C C.J. Stretch's numbers are 21 and eight, while D
Kurt Torbohm is 27 and eight. The league leader is F Matt Meropoulis of the
Chilliwack Bruins with 31 and 11.

THE REBROADCAST
Radio NL will replay the 1992 Memorial Cup championship game on Monday at 7
p.m., with Kelly Moore calling the play. The Blazers, under head coach Tom
Renney, met Ted Nolan’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in that game in Seattle.
We’ll let you guess who won.

THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS

1. G Justin Leclerc, Kamloops. Gets his 20th victory.

2. C James O’Brien, Seattle. Two goals.

3. C Scott Wasden, Kamloops. Strong defensively.

NEXT UP
The Medicine Hat Tigers, including former Blazers LW Travis Dunstall, are at
The ATM on Saturday. Game time is 7 p.m.