Loewen has simplified his game after some reflection during suspension

Nov 2, 2018 | 2:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Jermaine “The Train” Loewen was stationed for four games, but since his engine started back up on Friday in Seattle, he’s been a difference-maker for the Blazers. 

“Huge addition for us last weekend and he definitely announced his return with very good offensive production with his seven points in three games,” said head coach Serge Lajoie. “He’s a big piece to our team.”

Loewen did some thinking during his four-game suspension. Not about changing his game following the check to the head on Portland’s Matthew Quigley, but how much he missed the game while he was away. The 20 year old had pent-up energy that he used in bunches when he returned. 

“Every game that I wasn’t playing, every day that I wasn’t out there, it was kind of hard because I like playing the game and I like to be out there with my teammates,” said Loewen. “When you get that opportunity, something happens with the suspension, it gets taken away from you, you realize how much you miss the game.”

Loewen tallied four goals and three assists in his first three games back last week, including a hat-trick in Portland against his former coach Don Hay. 

While suspended, Loewen took the time to assess what the team really needed from him to be successful.

“I wasn’t really playing my game before I got suspended,” he noted. “I’ve had good parts of that game against Portland [on Oct. 5], but I was finding my game. But then I realized that I need to go back to what made me successful and that’s being a simple player.”

Loewen has been playing with Brodi Stuart and Connor Zary, a line that combined for 16 points in the three road wins. Zary matched Loewen with seven points as well last weekend. 

“Some really good chemistry there with Connor Zary and Brodi Stuart, and I thought Connor Zary was fabulous for us this past week and played really well,” said Lajoie. “We saw some chemistry there with Jermaine, so very happy to have him back.”

Friday night will be Loewen’s first home game as captain, and he’s looking forward to playing again in front of the home crowd.