(Image Credit: Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Anthony Corea

FIRST GOALS

Blazers see full lineup pay off after positive US Division road trip

Jan 27, 2026 | 5:03 PM

KAMLOOPS — This past weekend marked a series of firsts for players on this Blazers roster, including Joaquin Geras, who potted his first career WHL goal in a 7-2 victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Friday (Jan. 23).

“It was a great feeling,” said Geras, who turned 17 this month. “Obviously, getting the first one. It took a while, but it’s good to get it. Boys are so happy for me. They’re cheering loudly. Even though it was a 7-0 game, so it was really nice.”

The rookie defenseman has played 39 of 45 games this season and registered seven points in that span. Geras is limited to a bottom pairing role due to his inexperience, but tries to absorb as much as he can from the veteran d-men ahead of him.

“Everything’s an opportunity, right? Every single day. It’s an opportunity to learn from those guys, especially Brunicke with that NHL experience,” noted Geras.  “Just trying to learn as much as I can — be a sponge really.”

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That NHL experience has helped Harrison Brunicke make an immediate impact in his return to Kamloops. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect recorded his first two goals in a Blazers uniform this season, also against the Wenatchee Wild.

“Yeah, it feels good. I just got more confidence. I feel like just coming back and getting to play my game, these guys make it easy for me,” says Brunicke, who has seven points in five games. “We got a good team here. And it’s just been fun.”

More positives for Kamloops include the return of Vit Zahejsky on the road trip. The import forward played all three games this past weekend and chipped in with two goals. It’s the first time he’s found the back of the net since March 18, 2025 as he looks to get back up to speed once again.

“I feel like the first game, I was kind of confused where to go and where I was standing. But the second game, I felt very good. I felt confident on the ice. I feel way better than in the first game. Zahejsky, who hails from Czechia, said. “The third game, my body was kind of sore, but I was like, ‘Don’t think about it.'”

Despite a loss on Sunday against the Tri-City Americans, the Blazers were very content with their weekend performance — perhaps a testament to having a full lineup heading toward the final stretch of the regular season.

“It’s kind of a good problem to have now that we’re fully healthy. We have to make some difficult decisions on a nightly basis in terms of who’s in the lineup,” stated Steve Marr, one of the Blazers’ assistant coaches. “I think that speaks to our depth now. It’s pushing the guys to understand that guys are waiting to take opportunity if the guys that are in the lineup don’t take advantage of it.”

The Blazers are sitting 5th in the WHL’s Western Conference. Their next game is Wednesday night (Jan. 28) when the Red Deer Rebels come to town. Red Deer is 6-4 in their last ten games played. Kamloops is 6-2-2 in their last ten games played. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. at the Sandman Centre