Captain Ryan Michael. (Image Credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea)

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Blazers embracing underdog tag, suggest pressure is on Rockets in first-round series

Mar 23, 2026 | 5:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers’ head coach Shaun Clouston said the heat is on the Kelowna Rockets, with the B.C. Division rivals preparing to square off in Round 1 of the WHL post-season. 

“They’re a team that geared up to host the Memorial Cup,” Clouston said. “Their record since the trade deadline is awesome. They’re a big, older, physical team. We’re approaching this as a little bit of bonus time and the pressure is on them. Funny things can happen. Pressure can do interesting things.” 

Kelowna is scheduled to host Game 1 of the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series on Friday at Prospera Place. 

The Rockets won the regular-season series, posting a 4-1-0-1 record that includes two wins earlier this month – 4-1 on March 13 in Kelowna and 5-1 on March 14 in Kamloops. 

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“[We’re] really just embracing that underdog role,” Blazers’ forward Tommy Lafreniere said. “We’ve been there every single game against them and we’ve got a really good chance. Maybe they’ll get a little frustrated if we steal Game 1 or 2 and we can use that to our advantage.” 

The Rockets (38-21-6-3) finished fourth in the Western Conference, one spot head of the fifth-place Blazers (31-24-7-6). 

Kelowna, which has won 20 of 31 games since the WHL trade deadline on Jan. 8, boasts Utah Mammoth top prospect Tij Iginla, who racked up 40 goals and 91 points in 48 games this season. 

“He’s a real talented player,” Kamloops captain Ryan Michael said of Iginla, whose father, Jarome, is part-owner of the Blazers. “It’s important we play him hard, try to take his time and space away. He likes to create off the rush and he’s got a pretty good shot, so the less time we give him, the better.” 

The Rockets have depth up front, with Carson Wetsch – who will miss Game 1 due to suspension – Shane Smith, Ty Halaburda and Vojtech Cihar among key cogs. 

“The whole team here is really excited for the challenge,” Michael said. “Big rivalry. They’re the Memorial Cup hosts, so any time you have a chance to knock off that team, it’s pretty cool.” 

On the back end, Mazden Leslie, Keith McInnis, Parker Alcos and company are tasked with attempting to slow down a potent Blazers’ attack that includes NHL-drafted Lafreniere and Nathan Behm, emerging European Vit Zahejsky, first-round draft prospect J.P. Hurlbert (97 points in 68 games), 21-year-old stalwart Jordan Keller and Junior A-transfer-standouts Josh Evaschesen and Cooper Moore. 

“If we play our game, play fast, we’ve got a really good chance against them,” Lafreniere said. 

Kamloops was dealt a blow on the weekend when Ty Bonkowski was hurt, the forward expected to miss four to six weeks of action with a lower-body injury. 

“That’s not great,” Clouston said. “He’s had a real solid season, factored into the lineup the entire season and for a good chunk played up with Hurlbert. More recently, he found himself more on the third line. It affects things. It’s sort of next man up.” 

Michael, Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect Harrison Brunicke, much improved Isa Guram and overager Rhett Ravndahl round out the Blazers’ top four on the blue line. 

Harrison Boettiger has been sharp between the pipes since joining the Rockets this season, with a record of 25-10-4-1 and .911 save percentage. 

Logan Edmonstone started for Kamloops in all but one game in March and has posted a record of 22-16-4-4 this season, along with a .902 save percentage. 

“The Kelowna-Kamloops rivalry is pretty awesome,” Clouston said. “We’re looking forward to it. Power plays and penalty kills will be a factor. Discipline will be a factor. There are going to be ups and downs. Which team can control their emotions and push it in the right direction?”