Blazers and Ferguson shutout underachieving Pats

Dec 14, 2017 | 4:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — Garrett Pilon scored 17 seconds into the game, Dylan Ferguson stopped 42 shots and the Blazers blanked the Regina Pats 3-0.  It was the first shutout of the season for Ferguson and the Blazers.

After Pilon opened the scoring, set up by Jermaine Loewen off a Regina turnover, Luc Smith scored on the power play five minutes later to give Kamloops a 2-0 lead after the first period.

Nolan Kneen completed the scoring in the second.

Smith told the Regina Leader Post after the game that he had expected more from the Pats, who will host the 2018 Memorial Cup, but sit at just one game over .500 after 33 games.

Granted, Regina was missing its two best players.

Sam Steel and Josh Mahura are attending the National Junior team selection camp.

The Blazers improve to 15-16-1 for fourth place in the B.C. Division, three points behind third place Vancouver and two ahead of last place Prince George.

2-1-1 on the six game East Division road trip, the next stop is Moose Jaw tomorrow night against the league leading and Canadian Hockey League number two ranked Warriors.

The trip will wrap up Saturday in Swift Current, after which the players will go home for Christmas.