Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Blazers must win on Tuesday to keep post-season hopes alive

Mar 18, 2025 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — There is no margin for error for the Kamloops Blazers.

With three games remaining on their regular season WHL schedule, the Blazers are six points behind the Seattle Thunderbirds, who hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“We’re a bit reliant on Seattle, but I think we’re just focused on our game and one win at a time, one period at a time,” Blazers’ forward Andrew Thomson said. “We’re focused on how we play and not really looking much at the standings.”

Kamloops (24-36-4-1, 53 points) is scheduled to host the Victoria Royals on Tuesday (March 18), a 7:00 p.m. start at Sandman Centre.

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Victoria (37-17-3-7, 84 points) is fourth in Western Conference standings and has two games in hand on the B.C. Division-leading Prince George Cougars (40-20-4-2, 86 points).

“For us, it’s just all about believing,” Blazers’ defenceman Sam Borschowa said. “We’re not out of it yet.”

Seattle must lose each of its three remaining games in regulation and Kamloops must win out to force a tiebreaker showdown between the two teams, with the winner advancing to the post-season.

The Thunderbirds’ remaining games are against the hometown Spokane Chiefs on Friday (March 21), visiting Portland Winterhawks on Saturday (March 22) and hometown Tri-City Americans on Sunday (March 23).

Seattle already holds a 2-0 lead on Tri-City in the regular-season finale.

The game began on March 11, but was postponed due to a medical emergency and will resume early in the second period on Sunday.

In the 2018-2019 campaign, the Blazers picked up 11 out of a possible 12 points to finish the regular season and knocked off the Kelowna Rockets in a tiebreaker game to reach the post-season.

They need a win on Tuesday to keep hopes for the unlikely alive.

“We’re taking it as an exciting opportunity,” Blazers’ defenceman Kalan Anderlini said. “It’s not every season you get an opportunity like that. It’s exciting for us and we’re going to do our best to win every game.

“Have some hope, give us some support. We’d appreciate it.”