The Kamloops Blazers will depart tomorrow for Portland for their second road game of the season. This will be the Blazers first real road trip, making just a day trip to Everett last Saturday. The drive to Portland usually takes about 8-9 hours. The team will make a pit stop on the way to grab a bite to eat.
Forward Jordan DePape is being left behind to visit the doctor on Thursday. The Blazers hope to find out more about the injury following the appointment tomorrow. The team knows they will be without the services of Jordan for at least four-to-six weeks. It is tough luck for the 19-year-old forward who has battled the injury bug during training camp, and at different times last season.
The Blazers will get their first look at the defending Western Conference Champions on Friday night. The Winterhawks have returned most of their team, but are still without forwards Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter. Johansen has been a healthy scratch for the Columbus Blue Jackets first two games, while Niederreiter is on the injured list with the New York Islanders. The Blazers will still have their hands full with talented players like Sven Bartschi, Ty Rattie, Joe Morrow, Brad Ross, and Troy Rutkowski who are all high NHL draft picks.
The dreaded three games in thee nights has arrived for the Blazers. In total, the Blazers actually play six games in nine nights. If you really want to break it down, the Blazers will play those six games in five different cities. It is always a grind, but the hockey club has 24 healthy players on their roster. This should give everyone an opportunity to contribute over the next couple of weeks.
Expect to see a few pictures up on the blog from the trip to Portland.
Nice job on the blog! Always fun to read... Good luck in Portland tomorrow boys!! Go Blazers GOOO!
ReplyDeleteGood start guys,great team this year,but pull together during the last 20 minutes.
ReplyDelete