Blazers win, breathe sigh of relief
The Kamloops Blazers improved their WHL exhibition record to 3-0-0-0 after disposing of the Vancouver Giants 7-4 at Interior Savings Centre on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
More importantly, they look to have avoided what could have been a serious injury when Blazer forward Chase Souto was checked in the head in the second period by Anthony Ast of the Giants.
"I'm fine," Souto told KTW after the game.
"I'm just a little banged up."
Ast was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct and Richard Doerksen, the WHL's vice-president, hockey, will likely look at the tape and decide if the hit is worthy of suspension.
Cole Ully, Dylan Willick (2), Rob Trzonkowski, Brendan Ranford (2) and Jordan DePape, into an empty net, scored for Kamloops.
It was Trzonkowski's first point as a Blazer.
Also getting on the board for Kamloops were newcomers Nick Chyzowski, 15, a Kamloops Minor Hockey Association product, Jesse Shynkaruk, 16, and Josh Connolly, 17, all of whom registered assists.
Replying for Vancouver with goals were Ales Kilnar, Cain Franson, Taylor Makin and Brett Kulak.
Taran Kozun did not have a bad night between the pipes for the Blazers, making 23 saves on 27 shots.
He made some great saves, but, at times, his rebound control could have been better.
In the Giants' goal, where a battle rages on for roster spots, Tyler Fuhr made 15 saves on 17 shots before giving way to Jackson Whistle, who stopped 12 of 16.
Chyzowski, Shynkaruk and defenceman Connor Clouston, 16, were re-assigned to the midget AAA ranks after the game.
"Huge thanks to @blazerhockey for everything, what an experience, hopefully I'll get the chance to play with them again soon!!" Chyzowski tweeted after being re-assigned.
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