Blazers hand Rockets a line

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
The message, it seems, got through.
At least for now.
Centre C.J. Stretch and wingers Jimmy Bubnick and Brendan Ranford, who found
themselves stapled to the Kamloops Blazers’ bench for almost all of
Tuesday’s third period, rebounded with a vengeance Friday.
The trio, so ineffective just three nights earlier in a 5-3 loss to the
Everett Silvertips, combined for 11 points as the Blazers beat the Kelowna
Rockets 6-4 on Friday before 4,409 fans at Interior Savings Centre.
The teams meet again tonight in Kelowna.
The victory kept the Blazers’ pattern alive — they have alternated victories
and losses for the past 10 games. It also allowed the Blazers (18-20-2-3) to
move into seventh place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the
Rockets (19-23-2-0), who are 2-8-1-0 in their last 11 games as they try to
play through a horrid string of injuries.
Stretch, playing in his 311th career regular-season game, set up three
first-period goals and finished plus-5. Only defenceman Aaron Gionet (324)
and forward Donnie Kinney (319) played more games here than has Stretch.
Ranford, 17, had two goals and two assists, for the first four-point game of
his WHL career, and also was plus-5. Bubnick had two of each and was plus-4.
It was Bubnick’s second career four-pointer; he had a goal and three assists
in a 7-2 victory over the Cougars in Prince George on Dec. 14, 2007.
“They have to make the decisions for us,” said Kamloops head Guy Charron,
who held that line to one shift in Tuesday’s third period. “If they do the
things we need to do to be a successful team, they’ll play. Tonight, they
did come through.
“And they were due. The last little while they were probably the line that .
. . from playing very well they had diminished substantially.”
Ranford felt it simply was a matter of getting some bounces.
“It was a different game. It was like everything was going our way,” he
said. “Our line had a lot of fun out there.
“We did get opportunities Tuesday but none of them were going in. Tonight,
they were going in.”
Bubnick echoed his linemate.
“I don’t think there was much difference at all,” Bubnick said, comparing
the two games. “We just got the bounces . . . it went our way tonight. Last
game, we might not have got the bounces but we worked just as hard. We just
didn’t get rewarded last time.”
Linden Saip also had a big game for the Blazers, scoring twice and adding an
assist. Charron has given Saip more offensive responsibility of late,
including power-play time, and the defenceman has responded with four goals
and five assists in a six-game point streak.
“Coach has given me the green light to go in on offence,” Saip said.
“Knowing that I have the confidence to do that has turned the offensive part
of my game around.”
Kelolwna got two goals from forward Lucas Bloodoff, who had missed the
previous 15 games with a knee injury, and singles from forward Brett Bulmer,
on a second-period penalty shot, and defenceman Antoine Corbin.
When the Blazers next play at home — they entertain the Portland Winterhawks
on Wednesday, 7 p.m. — their roster is likely to have a distinctly different
look.
The WHL’s trade deadline arrives Sunday, 2 p.m., and general manager Craig
Bonner has been working the phone. He wouldn’t confirm anything last night,
but it is believed that other teams, including the Calgary Hitmen and
Spokane Chiefs, have expressed interest in the likes of Bubnick, captain
Tyler Shattock, who was a physical force against Kelowna, and Stretch.
None of which bothers Bubnick.
“Not at all,” said the 18-year-old Saskatoon native who is in his third
season here. “I’m just focused on playing hockey and whatever happens off
the ice it happens for the best.”
Bubnick has two brothers, Michael and Jonathan, both of whom played in the
WHL and both of whom were traded. In fact, Jon began his career with
the Blazers, who dealt him to the Regina Pats in 2002-03.
“My dad has been through it quite a few times,” Jimmy said with a laugh. “So
I know what to expect.”
While he may know what to expect, he just isn’t sure where he’ll be playing
next week.
JUST NOTES: Kamloops G Jon Groenheyde stopped 17 shots. G Kurtis Mucha is
expected to start for the Blazers tonight in Kelowna. . . . The Blazers were
1-for-5 on the power play, while giving up a shorthanded goal. Kelowna was
0-for-4 on the PP. . . . Kamloops F Mark Hall (concussion) sat out his
fourth straight game but might play tonight. . . . In a deal made late
Friday afternoon, the Seattle Thunderbirds of Kent dealt F Sena Acolatse,
19, to the Saskatoon Blades for F Burke Gallimore, 18. Acolatse, who has 22
points, brings more physical presence to the Blades and also can play
defence. He is in his fourth WHL season. Gallimore had 53 points as a rookie
last season and has 23 points this season.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
gdrinnan.blogspot.com