THE SCORE
Kelowna 6, Kamloops 4
WHAT HAPPENED
The Rockets dominated every area of this game when it mattered, just like
they have dominated the season series.
THE STANDINGS
The Blazers (33-32-2-4) remain fifth in the Western Conference, one point
ahead of the Seattle Thunderbirds (33-32-1-4), who lost 9-1 to the visiting
Portland Winter Hawks.
THE SEASON SERIES
With one game left, the Blazers are 0-7-0-1 against the Rockets this season;
the Rockets, meanwhile, are 8-0-0-0 against the Blazers. Kelowna holds a
42-17 edge in goals, too.
THE CENTRE
C.J. Stretch, who leads the Blazers with 85 points, is the first Kamloops
skater to surpass 80 points in a season since C Erik Christensen won the WHL
scoring title with 108 points in 2002-03.
THE ATTENDANCE
It was ticket redemption night — it was the last chance this season for fans
to exchange unused tickets — and the announced attendance was 5,729. That is
a record for a WHL game at Interior Savings Centre. The previous record of
5,658 was reached on numerous occasions.
THE SHOTS
The Blazers weren’t able to muster even one shot on goal in the first
period. Their previous low this season had been four, which they have done
six times.
THE PLAYOFFS
The Blazers will open the playoffs on March 20, in Kelowna or Spokane,
something that will be firmed up tonight or perhaps Sunday when the Rockets
visit the Chiefs. The Blazers definitely will play host to Games 3 and 4 of
a first-round series on March 24 and 25.
THE SCRAPPER
Freshman RW Mitchell Callahan, a 17-year-old from Whittier, Calif., leads
the Rockets with 19 fighting majors. The Kelowna franchise record for fights
by a 17-year-old is 25 and is held by Scott Parker. Remember him?
THE CAMERAS
The cameras to be used for video review during playoff games have been
installed and Gerard Hayes, one of the WHL’s supervisor of officials, gave
the system a test run last night.
THE DAILY NEWS THREE STARS
1. RW Ian Duval, Kelowna. Another strong game here.
2. C Cody Almond, Kelowna. Under-rated.
3. D Brandon McMillan, Kelowna. Plays well against Kamloops.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play their final regular-season game tonight in Kelowna. Game
time at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.