Blazers open exhibition slate with wins
The Kamloops Blazers iced two very different teams in WHL exhibition games last week against the Victoria Royals, but the result was the same in both matchups, with Kamloops sweeping the two-game set.
The home team’s roster was filled with veterans in a 4-2 win over the Royals on Thursday, Aug. 30, at ISC.
Tim Bozon, Jordan DePape, Chase Souto and Colin Smith — four of 11 Blazers aged 18 or older who played Thursday — were Kamloops’ goal scorers.
Cole Cheveldave went the distance between the pipes, making 21 saves.
One night later, the Blazers downed the Royals 5-3 in Maple Ridge, where Kamloops went with a much younger lineup, including Mitch Friesen, Aaron Macklin and Jesse Shynkaruk, a trio of players that signed standard WHL education contracts with the Blue and Orange on Thursday.
(Click here for more on the Blazers’ latest signings.)
It was still the veterans doing the damage on the scoreboard, as JC Lipon netted a hat trick and Souto and Dylan Willick, on an empty-netter, rounded out the Blazers’ scoring.
Backup goaltender Taran Kozun stopped 24 shots in the win.
Next up for Kamloops are the Vancouver Giants, who visit ISC on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Game time is 7 p.m.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.