Blazers know execution will be key for comeback versus Seattle

Olen Zellweger spent most of his WHL career in the US Division, so he’s familiar with this Seattle team. He, along with Stankoven and Bankier, played for Team Canada at the World Juniors with six of the Thunderbirds — so there’s another level of familiarity.

“I’m not really friends with them right now, we’re competing,” Zellweger tells CFJC Sports. “They’re going to play hard and want to win just as much as we do. But I think we’re going to be more ready than them because of the preparation we’re doing now. Watching a lot of video, we’re going to be ready on the ice. It’s going to be a good game.”

Being back within the friendly confines of the Sandman Centre should be a boost for the Blazers, as the players can feed off the energy of the home fans. There’s another way the team can help themselves against this potent T’Birds offence:

“Stay out of the penalty box, for one,” said Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston. “They scored on the power play and they scored five seconds after a power play. Those are the two big goals there.”

“We need to be more disciplined,” Stankoven says. “We were really good with that all season long, but I think [on Sunday] we ran into a bit of penalty trouble.”

Being back home also means the Blazers get the last change, which could help with the matchup games. However, both these teams have been able to roll four lines throughout the playoffs. Expect the home team to try and keep that up.

“We’re a really deep team — so are they,” said Connor Levis. “I think we can really play any line against any of their lines. [Our focus will be] just making sure we’re playing with speed and playing Blazer hockey — making sure we’re staying on top of everybody, making them play defence and getting into the offensive zone. Trying to create more chances offensively will really be a key to our success.”

Trailing in a playoff is new territory for this team on this playoff run, they don’t seem too concerned. The focus appears to be on the task at hand — winning Game 3.

“It’s a seven game series for a reason,” Stankoven says. “We know that — like you said — we’re going to have to go into their building at some point and win. I think if we can focus on the next game, just take it game by game, you never know what can happen.”

by Adam Donnelly

Blazers know execution will be key for comeback versus Seattle

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