The Blazers are aware they can't overlook the Vancouver Giants in the first round (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

WHL PLAYOFFS

Giants’ upset of Everett last year a point of conversation in Blazers’ locker room

Mar 30, 2023 | 2:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Blazers and Giants renew their rivalry starting Friday night (Mar. 31), a rematch of last year’s second-round series won by Kamloops in six games.

The Blazers are well aware of how Vancouver got there, as the eighth seed that pulled off a massive upset over the Everett Silvertips — thanks to a deadly power play and an injury-riddled Silvertips team.

“I think they’re power play was rolling at about 40-45 per cent, which very important come playoff time,” noted Blazers defenseman Olen Zellweger, who was on the Everett team that was upset. “Big goals happen on the power play and a games are won and lost on the special teams.”

Zellweger and another former Silvertip Ryan Hofer, picked up by Kamloops at the deadline, have been sharing stories of the upset as a warning to the Blazers ahead of this first-round series against Vancouver.

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“They’ve shared the stories of what happened to them last year and how they were beaten by Vancouver, so kind of learning from that and trying to avoid those situations,” said Blazers forward Caedan Bankier. “We just going to try to focus on what made us successful against them last year and what’s been key for us this year as well.”

Head coach Shaun Clouston added, “We talked a little bit about that on Monday with our leaders. The thing that came out of that was discipline. They did have a number of injuries. They were injured, but it started sliding and the discipline got away from them. Hof talked about one game [Game 2] where they took eight penalties. You’re shorthanded for 16 minutes. It’s not going to work.”

Despite being the No. 2 seed going against the seventh-seeded Giants, the Blazers are well aware of what can happen in the playoffs.

“For sure, we’ve got to respect our opponent. We’re the second seed and they’re the seventh and we’re the favourites, so we still need to come in with the attitude that they’re going to compete as hard as they can. They want to beat us. They’re not just going roll over. I learned that last year unfortunately that there are a lot of good teams, there are a lot of good players, and you can’t take anyone lightly.”

Clouston says if things start to feel like they’re getting away from them — like what happened to Everett last year — the Blazers have to be able to reel it and get back to their game.

“Things aren’t going to go perfect all the time. You have to stay the course. You can’t get away from the game plan. You have to stay focused. You have to stay centred. You’ve got to keep doing the right thing, believing it’s eventually going to turn.”

Game 1 is Friday night at the Sandman Centre.