By Chad Klassen

Thompson Junior Blazers embracing underdog role at Western Canadians

Mar 28, 2018 | 2:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Junior Blazers come into the Western Canadian Bantam AAA Championship with a chip on their shoulders. They host the tournament despite not making it past the Okanagan playoffs. 

“I think we’re probably viewed as an underdog by the teams,” said head coach Kyle Allan. “We’re sort of back-dooring our way in. We didn’t even make our provincials. I think some teams might come in and think that’s the case. But we’ve been one of the best teams in B.C. all season.”

The Junior Blazers lost to the Central Rockets out of Kelowna in the Okanagan final after a 35-win season. The group has been off since losing the championship game on Mar. 4, but have tried to stay sharp for the championship. 

“It’s been ok. We’re a pretty competitive group practice. We like to work hard, we like to make sure guys are doing the same things they want to do in games just to set those good habits,” said Allan, who’s been the Bantam AAA coach for the last five seasons. “With the time off, we’ve got some injuries. We’re missing a few guys at practice. But all in all, the team’s pretty committed. They didn’t like losing their chance at provincials. They’re going to make sure they make the most of it.”

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Three players return from the team that lost 6-1 in the provincial final at home last year against Burnaby Winter Club. They learned a ton from that experience. 

“It just keeps us motivated because we lost, we kind of got killed in that last game, so we don’t want to lose that bad again,” said Junior Blazer Owen Barrow. 

The other four teams arrived in Kamloops on Wednesday on the eve of the Western Canadian AAA Bantam Championship, which start Thursday and run until Sunday’s final at McArthur Island. The top two teams during round-robin play will face off in the championship game. 

The Thompson Junior Blazers have only played one of the teams, B.C. champion Seafair. The Islanders won both contests — 3-1 on Oct. 7 and 3-2 on Feb. 10.

JUNIOR BLAZERS SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 29
Thompson Blazers vs. Seafair – 1 p.m.
Thompson Blazers vs. Winnipeg – 7 p.m.

Friday, March 30
Thompson Blazers vs. Airdrie – 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 31
Thompson Blazers vs. West Central – 9 a.m.

Sunday, April 1
Gold Medal Game – 1 p.m