When you outshoot and out chance your opponents, it’s expected that you win hockey games. The Blazers accomplished both feats in Red Deer, similar to what they’ve done all season, but fell 4-2 to the Rebels.
The Blazers played a terrific third period despite the loss, but two mistakes cost the team the game. A puck jumped over Bronson Maschmeyer’s stick and allowed Tyson Ness to score on a breakaway. Only 24 seconds later, the Rebels centered the puck and Tim Bozon accidentally put it into his own net. That goal stood up as the game winner as the Rebels added an empty net goal.
Time of possession or territorial advantage is not a statistic that is kept, but the Blazers would have had a major advantage. They had the Rebels hemmed in their own zone for most of the third period. Credit to the Rebels though, they defended well and played a solid team game in the win.
Thursday was an off day for the Blazers. The hockey club practiced in Red Deer in the morning and then headed to Calgary to spend a little time at the Iron Cross Mills Mall. The “outlet mall” is fairly new and located north of Calgary. After some lunch and shopping the Blazers travelled straight to Medicine Hat.
It is odd to run into another WHL team like the Blazers did in Red Deer as they shared their hotel with the Moose Jaw Warriors. It is even rarer to run into another WHL team as the Blazers did on Thursday in Medicine Hat. The Blazers are sharing their hotel in Medicine Hat with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Wheat Kings are coming off a 5-game U.S. Division swing and are playing in Medicine Hat tonight and in Lethbridge tomorrow night. By coincidence, the Blazers are playing in Lethbridge tonight and in Medicine Hat tomorrow night.
There are always connections with players in the WHL, so seeing opposing teams always means old teammates and friends run into each other. It is a thrill for players to run into the opposition, because as they say “everyone seems to know everyone”.
Tonight, the Blazers are looking to get back on track against a struggling Lethbridge Hurricanes squad. The Canes are 0-8-0-1 in their past nine games, but have made some moves to improve their hockey team. The Blazers will start goaltender Cole Cheveldave tonight.
That is all for the Blazers as they finish up their brief 3-game road trip to Alberta comes to an end tomorrow night in Medicine Hat.
Pictures...
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| A view from the press box in Red Deer |
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| The Rebels have a terrific facility |
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| Ryan Hanes and Josh Caron walk back to the bus |
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| Chase Souto runs from Matthew Needham in a game of capture the flag |
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| J.T. Barnett carries the ball for his team |
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