The Kamloops Blazers and Prince George in action during the two team's last meeting at CN Centre on Nov. 14, 2025. (Image Credit: Prince George Cougars)

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Blazers head to Prince George planning to take advantage of shorthanded Cougars

Dec 11, 2025 | 4:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers have four games remaining before the WHL’s holiday break and two of those contests are scheduled for Friday (Dec. 12) and Saturday in Prince George.

Blazers’ forward Nathan Behm said his club has an opportunity to capitalize while the Cougars are undermanned.

Prince George starting goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen and defenceman Carsen Carels are at Team Canada selection camp, while backup netminder Alexander Levshyn is on national duty with Ukraine.

“It’ll be a good test for us,” said Behm, who is second in Blazers’ scoring with 42 points in 28 games.

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“They’re going to be missing a couple of key guys. We’re going to have to get on their D and get lots of shots. They’re probably going to have a younger goalie playing.”

The Blazers will soon be without the services of goaltender Ivans Kufterins, who is expected to join the Latvian national team on Sunday, but he will be available to play this weekend in Prince George.

Kufterins was outstanding in his club’s most recent contest, making 24 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Vees last Saturday in Penticton.

With 32 points after 29 games, the Blazers are tied for fifth in Western Conference standings, sitting eight points back of the second-place Cougars.

“The standings are pretty tight,” said Isa Guram, the Blazers’ top-scoring defenceman with 19 points in 28 games. “A couple losses, we can move down a couple spots. A couple wins, we can move up a couple spots. It’s an important weekend.”