Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club: THOUGHTS FROM PRINCE GEORGE

It was a bounce the Blazers took advantage of, and have earned this season. Marek Hrbas dumped a puck into the Cougars zone, and an awkward bounce allowed Brendan Ranford to tap in a goal. The goal stood up as the winner in a 5-1 road victory in Prince George. The Blazers started slow on Friday, but stuck to their game plan and were stronger as the game wore on.

Brendan Ranford has quietly scored 11 goals in his first 13 games to lead the Blazers in that category. He also now has three game winning goals on the season now. He was not selected for the 2011 Subway Super Series, but that has only motivated him to work harder and maintain consistency.

Forward Jordan DePape had successful surgery yesterday. His teammates were glad to hear from him following the surgery. The 19-year-old will have a long recovery ahead with a minimum of four months off from hockey. If everything goes well, Jordan will recover as the Blazers are in the stretch heading for the playoffs. He would be a great late season addition.

Amazingly, the Blazers already have more victories against the Kelowna Rockets and Prince George Cougars then all of last season. The Blazers only beat the Cougars once last year, and defeated the Rockets only twice. The hockey club has already beaten the Rockets three times, and the Cougars twice this season.

The hockey club has scored eight shorthanded goals, compared to only four last season. The Blazers lead the WHL in that category. The Saskatoon Blades and Medicine Hat Tigers have each scored six shorthanded markers. The WHL's leading scorer, Emerson Etem, has scored all six shorthanded markers for the Tigers.

Following tonight's game, the Blazers will have some time to breathe as they don't play until next Friday afternoon. In fact, the Blazers play only four games over their next 17 days.

That is all from Prince George, have a good weekend.