By Chad Klassen

Injuries on defense forcing Blazers to juggle their back end

Jan 23, 2019 | 2:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Blazers are short their full complement of defensemen, scrambling for extra bodies going into a three-game weekend, but they have reached deep into the roster to fill the two vacant spots left behind by the injured Quinn Schmiemann and Luke Zazula.

The biggest switch involves 20-year-old veteran forward Jeff Faith who’s moved back to defense, his natural position. 

“Yeah, I really like going back on defense and just to know that I’m helping the guys out,” noted Faith on Wednesday. “We have injuries, so they need me back there. I’m happy to be back.”

Head coach Serge Lajoie appreciates Faith’s flexibility, especially with his team feeling the injury bug.

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“It’s a great luxury to have someone who is as versatile as Jeff,” said Lajoie. “What I like about him as a defenseman, he just keeps things simple positionally. He works himself into good position to defend, not an easy guy to get around.”

Faith, who was picked up in a trade from Spokane in November, grew up playing defense before being switched to forward by the Chiefs last season. He played on the backend on Sunday in Prince George with the team down to five defensemen.

“Going back to defense, you just have to really think about slowing the game down,” said Faith. “It’s more of a mental game and you’re making those quick passes and you’re thinking before you get the puck.”

Schmiemann is out with an apparent head injury following a hit from behind from Cougars’ forward Josh Maser on Sunday, while Zazula is dealing with a shoulder injury after being awkwardly hit against the Prince Albert Raiders last Friday.

Lajoie says it’s simply the “next man up” approach heading into the three-game weekend, even though there’s a chance Zazula returns.

“I think the other defenseman have done a great job filling in, eating up those minutes that have been opened up with both Quinn and Zazula out,” he said. “A guy like Montana Onyebuchi has really thrived in that role, being someone that knows he needs to be out there potentially every second shift.”

The 18-year-old Onyebuchi added, “I was obviously like the opportunity. I get more engaged if I play more, too, so it’s been really good.”

The Blazers have also called up minor midget player Tristan Allen who’s been on the ice with the big club this week to add numbers in practice. 

“It’s awesome. It boosts my confidence. When I go back down to minor midget, it’s just a great experience,” said the 15-year-old defenseman. 

Allen went undrafted but was picked up by the Blazers earlier this season. He won’t likely play this weekend in a game, which he says would be a thrill. 

“I don’t know, I would hope to play a game. I’d love to. It’d be awesome,” noted Allen. 

The Blazers play Spokane and Victoria at home this weekend on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before a game in Seattle on Sunday evening.