Image credit: Twitter/Kamloops Blazers/@ADouglasPhotos

By Connor Gunn

BLAZERS VS CHIEFS

Blazers take the ice in first playoff series since 2019

Apr 22, 2022 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers start their playoff journey tonight (Apr. 22) against the Spokane Chiefs. In the first of a three-game homestand, the Blazers play their first playoff game since 2019.

The pandemic didn’t allow the Blazers in 2020 or 2021 to make a playoff run. Now after finishing their season with 99 points and the conference second seed, they’ll play the Chiefs in a seven-game series.

Head Coach Sean Clouston says the Blazers have to control the tempo of the series.

“I think the first game of this series at home is similar to your home opener. You’ve got to manage the energy. You know, I think that there’s a tendency to get overhyped and too excited, and really you’ve got to focus that energy into the game plan and doing what we do.”

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In 45 games this year, Blazers goalie Dylan Garand posted 34 wins and a 925 save percentage. In his first playoff game since 2019, he is grateful for another playoff start.

“I think throughout the whole year we’ve just been getting better and better, really finding our game and playing to our identity and ultimately kind of gearing up for the playoffs here,” Garand says, “We like our group, and we know we have a chance to win and that’s kind of the plan. Look forward to getting it underway.”

The Blazers finished their regular season with a 48-17-3 record and won two of the three regular-season games against Spokane with the Chiefs winning the most recent matchup 6-5 on April 1.

Clouston adds that the team needs to play a full 60 minutes if they want to succeed.

“If we pick the best five or six or 10 hockey games that we’ve played all season and use that as a benchmark that will be the goal to get to that level and I believe if we get to that level then we’ll have a chance of being successful.”

Puck drop for the first of three games is at 7 p.m. at the Sandman Centre with games following on Saturday and Monday.