Onwards and Upwards !!

It’s only a five game sample but there is reason to believe the Kamloops Blazers turned a big corner with wins against Kelowna and Vancouver after losing to Spokane, Seattle and Portland to start the new WHL season.

Winning at any time is crucial for teams on the rebound but winning against teams in your own division is imperative to make the playoffs. This team is expected to make it to the spring dance but how it does against the Giants and Rockets will go far in determining its identity and how games will be won.

Team speed stood out against teams that have owned the BC division since the Blazers fall from grace began too many years ago to remember.   They pushed the pace, forcing Vancouver and Kelowna to keep up. It was more noticeable against the Rockets who are a bigger, more physical outfit while the Giants give the impression they’ll play it anyway you want to (that’s what defending champions do)

The Blazers skating prowess gives them the ability to “get there” and be physical when they have to in key areas to create confusion resulting in turnovers and scoring chances. It’s a great recipe to dictate the game providing you can stay healthy. It generally catches up to teams in the long run if they’ve been leaned on game after game but right now you’re seeing a team finding its identity and finding a way to win. It’s a big part of the evolution process.

Being at home for five of their next seven should be a catalyst for team confidence. They’re at home Wed. Oct.2 vs Seattle and Friday, Oct.5 vs Everett before visiting Everett and Kelowna Oct. 11 and 12 and returning home for games against Swift Current Oct.15, Vancouver Oct. 18 and, Kelowna Oct.19

Playing 16 of their first 17 game or one quarter of their schedule against western conference teams will be an indication of where they stand in the big picture.