Image credit: Allen Douglas/Kamloops Blazers

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Blazers aiming to snap three-game losing streak against Chiefs in Spokane

Nov 27, 2024 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — Measuring-stick contests last weekend against two of the top teams in the Western Hockey League ended in defeat for the Kamloops Blazers.

The club regrouped at practice this week and aims to snap a three-game losing skid against the Chiefs on Wednesday (Nov. 27) in Spokane.

“We played two real good teams and didn’t quite match up,” said Blazers’ Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston, referring to the 5-2 loss to hometown Prince George (13-6-3-2) on Friday (Nov. 22) and 5-2 defeat to Everett (19-3-1-1) on Saturday at Sandman Centre.

Clouston said his Blazers (11-12-1-0) were vulnerable to the odd-man rush this past weekend and work this week in practice was designed to prevent outnumbered situations against the Chiefs (15-9-0-0), who are riding a three-game winning streak and sit fourth in Western Conference standings.

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Kamloops surrendered three goals inside the first two minutes of periods last weekend, including a costly insurance marker 24 seconds into the third period against the WHL-leading Silvertips.

“We’ve got to get off on the right foot at the start of each period,” Blazers’ defenceman Kalan Anderlini said. “On Wednesday in Spokane, we’ve got to come out at the start of each period ready to play hard.”

Dylan Ernst is likely to start between the pipes for Kamloops on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old goaltender from Weyburn, Sask., is 8-10-1-0 this season, with a .906 save percentage and credits mental work in the off-season for a sense of calm in the crease.

“I see a young team really exceeding our expectations from what other people had of us, but we still have got a long way to go,” Ernst said. “I don’t think we’ve had the consistency really as of late, but we’re going to get it and when we do I think teams should really look out for us.”

Blazers’ top-pair defenceman and Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect Harrison Brunicke remains out of the lineup while recovering from a broken wrist.

X-rays this week are likely to reveal more on the timeline for his recovery and his hopes for cracking Team Canada’s roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship.

“Obviously, he’s one of our top guys,” Anderlini said. “He runs the power play. But, as a D-core, we’ve stuck together and have played well defensively. But, yeah, it’s obviously tough missing a guy like that.”

EXTRA FRAME

Shea Van Olm, formerly of the Blazers, is enjoying a productive overage campaign.

The Chiefs’ forward is second in WHL goal scoring, with 21 goals in 24 games this season.

Vancouver Giants’ forward Cameron Schmidt, 17, has 23 goals in 21 games.