Blazers forward Caedan Bankier is coming off a six-point game against the Victoria Royals (Image credit: Chad Klassen/CFJC Today).

By Chad Klassen

BLAZERS ON FIRE!

Blazers one of the hottest teams, credit quick starts to recent run of success

Mar 17, 2023 | 11:52 AM

KAMLOOPS — Wednesday night’s (Mar. 15) 11-1 shellacking of the Victoria Royals was by far the Blazers’ biggest margin of victory this season. But in many respects, the way they’re playing, they should be blowing out teams like that.

The Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the country (ranked No. 8 in the latest Top 10 CHL Rankings) on an absolute tear, winning 18 of their 19 times on the ice — and in a lot of those games, they’ve absolutely dominated.

“We’re just enjoying coming to the rink every day,” Blazers forward Caedan Bankier, who’s coming off a six-point performance against Victoria, says. “We’ve been playing pretty well since the trade deadline and made those acquisitions and got some great players, so I think guys are just playing some of their best hockey this season all at the same time, which is good to see going right into playoffs.”

Matthew Seminoff adds, “I think we’re just playing the right way. Obviously, when pucks are going in, it’s easy to get lots of shots, you’re more confident in that area. We’re playing really good defense; we’re playing with good structure. We’re just having fun every single game. We’re playing with lots of energy and enthusiasm. It’s a blast coming to the rink every day.”

Outside of their 3-2 shootout win in Seattle last week, the Blazers have outscored their opponents 45-8 in the last six wins — by an average of 6-1.

Stay Ahead of the Curve with Kamloops' Trusted Property Manager - Rohit Kumar

May 20, 2025

Question of the Week

Are you practicing water conservation in your home and on your property?

Jul 14, 2025

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Trump's stupidity is contagious

Jul 13, 2025

They’ve also fired a lot of pucks at opposing goaltenders in those wins. In fact, the Blazers have more than 40 shots on goal in 12 of the last 13 games, including back-to-back 50-shot games against Kelowna and a 60-shot game in Edmonton.

In particular, they’ve heavily outshot opponents in the first period with an emphasis on quick starts.

“It’s definitely a focus,” Shaun Clouston, Blazers head coach says. “I think the leaders do a great job in the room. We’ve got a routine we follow — get to the rink at a certain time and have our meetings, 5-on-5 and PP and PK, then the players do a warm-up together, then get dressed. I think the process, the routine is really important.”

Clouston added, “It’s preparation. It’s making sure we’re committed to the game. We want 60 minutes of hard work and the guys in general are able to get there. We’ve got real good depth, so we’re not relying on a couple players. We’ve got a lot of different guys contributing. Our goaltending has been solid. I think we’re playing a really strong team game where guys have bought in and playing as units.”

Clouston says the buy-in and belief is really strong right now and contributing to a big part of the success.

The Blazers, too, are winning without their best player Logan Stankoven, as well as Daylan Kuefler. Both have missed the last couple weeks, yet Kamloops keeps winning hockey games and seemingly with ease.

“Obviously two guys you can’t replace in the line-up, so we’re just trying to our game plan, the way that we’ve been playing and make up for them as best we can,” Bankier notes. “Obviously with Stanks, you’re going to get a lot of goals and with Daylan you’re going to get a hard-working forward who’s hard on the forecheck and brings the energy every day, so collectively we’ve got to each chip away and it’s been successful for us so far.”

Clouston adds, “We’ve had guys really step up. Emmitt Finnie has stepped up and played well. Ashton Ferster has stepped up and played real well. Dylan Sydor has stepped up and played real well. It’s not just those guys. Lots of guys have stepped up, but those guys are playing on lines with other players they’re not normally put with, and they’ve done a real good job of just picking up and going with it.”

The Blazers host the Kelowna Rockets on Friday night (Mar. 17) at the Sandman Centre for the first of a home-and-home against their Interior rivals.