Blazers box

WHAT HAPPENED
The Blazers got key saves when they needed them from G Justin Leclerc and
simply outscored the other guys; they also took advantage of some shoddy
Medicine Hat goaltending and the visitors‚ erratic shooting.
THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (25-24-1-4) remain fifth in the Western Conference — the top
seven teams went 6-0-1-0 on Saturday ˆ six points behind the Kelowna Rockets
(29-19-1-2) and four ahead of the Everett Silvertips (22-23-6-1).
THE SNIPERS
LW Shayne Wiebe scored the game-winner, his 23rd goal of the season giving
him a share of the team lead with C C.J. Stretch. Wiebe’s night ended when
he took a Zdenek Okal shot off his left foot while killing a penalty with
eight minutes left in the third period.
THE HOME COOKING
The Blazers have two games left in a five-game homestand, their longest of
the season. They are 2-1-0-0 with Kelowna here Tuesday and Everett stopping
by Wednesday.
THE LEGEND
The Medicine Hat Tigers entered the league for 1970-71 and Bob Ridley has
done the radio play-by-play of all but one of their games. Ridley, who also
drives the team bus, was at the microphone again Saturday night. The one
game he missed? In 1973, his boss‚s wife was playing on the Alberta entry at
the Canadian women’s curling championship so Ridley was in Saskatoon
covering what then was known as the Lassie.
THE 40-win club
The Tigers have won at least 40 games in each of the last five seasons. This
season, they have 28 victories with 18 games still to be played.
THE DISCIPLINE
Two of the Tigers — GM/head coach Willie Desjardins and F Tyler Ennis — were
saluted prior to the game for having been part of the Canadian team that won
the 2009 World Junior Championship. The fans responded with a standing
ovation.
DAILY NEWS THREE STARS
1. G Justin Leclerc, Kamloops. Gave up four but gave his guys a chance.
2. F Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat. Like a bee in a phone booth.
3. D Zach Stebner, Kamloops. Good night all around.
NEXT UP
Those dastardly Rockets, who won 5-2 here on Jan. 24, are in town Tuesday.
Game time is 7 p.m.