By Chad Klassen

With Ferguson available, who starts in goal for the Blazers in Victoria?

Mar 21, 2019 | 2:50 PM

KAMLOOPS — From the time Dylan Ferguson went down to injury in the 5-0 loss to Vancouver two weeks ago — when all hope seemed to be lost for the Blazers — his fellow Dylan, backup Dyland Garand, has stepped in and been air-tight to win six of his seven starts. 

“All I try and do is go in there and give them a chance, and they’ve been letting me do that and making it easy on me,” said Garand. “They deserve most of the credit. They’ve been playing really well. We’ve bought into working hard and it’s really paying us for us. We wouldn’t be where we are now without that.”

The humble Garand, who’s just in his 16-year-old season, has posted a 1.57 GAA during the seven starts (6-0-1), making the timely saves to give the Blazers a chance to get into the playoffs. 

“He’s done a phenomenal job, Garand, and he shows the pro mindset as a young man. It’s been really impressive,” said captain Jermaine Loewen. “He just works and he’s continued to battle for us.”

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Given his calm demeanor in the net, you wouldn’t think Garand is merely 16 years old. He faced a pressure situation in the tiebreaker on Tuesday night and shone in the 5-1 win over Kelowna, making 27 saves. 

“I’ve never really felt too much pressure,” said Garand, who returns to his hometown of Victoria this weekend. “Sometimes I get a little nervous, but I never feel out of place. It’s just how I’ve been all my life. I think it’s definitely benefitted me.”

Riding the red-hot Garand would be the obvious choice to start against the Royals, but head coach Serge Lajoie has yet to commit to him publicly with Ferguson “available” to the Blazers after his lower-body injury. 

“Dylan Garand has been phenomenal for us down the stretch, so basically he’s earned merit and he’s earned consideration to start in Game 1,” said Lajoie. “I can also say, just to keep you guys guessing, Dylan Ferguson has been tremendous for us, and he had been before the injury. 

The players said before boarding the bus for Victoria on Thursday they are confident in both Dylans. 

“Dyland [Garand] has done a great job the last two weeks, three weeks, to get us in this spot,” said veteran forward Zane Franklin. “I know Fergy hates sitting watching games, but Woody did a heck of a job to get us here, so that’s up to [coaches] to decide. But either way, it’ll be good.”