Smith line explodes, Blazers beat 'Hawks
The thrill might have been gone temporarily for the line of Colin Smith, JC Lipon and Tim Bozon, but it returned in a big way on Friday, Nov. 16.
A crowd of 4,945 watched the Kamloops Blazers down the Portland Winterhawks 6-4 at Interior Savings Centre.
The Smith line combined for 14 points.
Portland was riding a 12-game winning streak, but could not get to 13, thanks mostly to a line featuring the WHL's top-three scorers.
Lipon, who leads the league with 48 points, had two goals and three assists on Friday.
Smith, second in the Dub with 47 points, also had a five-point night, including the game-winning goal.
Bozon, now third in league scoring, chimed in with a goal and four points.
Defenceman Tyler Hansen had a strong night for Kamloops, recording two points, including one goal, and finishing plus-3.
Brendan Ranford rounded out the scoring for the Blazers, who were backstopped by Cole Cheveldave.
Taylor Peters, Nicolas Petan, Brendan Leipsic and Troy Rutkowski tallied for Portland, which went with Mac Carruth between the pipes.
With the win, Kamloops remains alone atop the WHL with 37 points.
Portland is second with 33 points.
Next up for the Blazers are the Prince George Cougars, who are in Kamloops on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Puck-drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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