HOME STRETCH TO CHRISTMAS: The Blazers have a 21-7-1-0 record and sit in first place in the B.C. Division. The Blazers were 11-3-0-0 during September and October. The Blazers finished the month of November with four straight wins going 7-4-1-0. The Blazers have started the month of December with a 3-0-0-0 record. The Blazers are currently riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to November 25^th. The team will play 6 games in the next 8 days before the Christmas break. This is the longest road trip of the season for the Blazers as they will play all of the Eastern Conference teams. The Blazers will play next in Regina tomorrow night. They will finish their Eastern Conference road swing on Saturday, December 17^th in Moose Jaw.  

Vs. Swift Current – Last Season (1-Game Series)
Game 1: 12/10/10, vs. Swift Current 2, Kamloops 3

Vs. Swift Current – This Season (1-Game Series)
Game 1: 12/10/11, at Swift Current, Kamloops

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 23 players (2 goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 14 forwards). The roster includes 10 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, 6 players via trade, 6 players from the free agent list, and 1 player selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes 8 players from Alberta, 6 from B.C., 2 from Manitoba, 4 from Saskatchewan, 1 from the USA, 1 from the Czech Republic, and 1 from Switzerland. There are 16 WHL veterans on the roster and 7 WHL rookies. Four of those rookies suited up for the Blazers during the regular season last year. This includes forward Jordan DePape who the Blazers will be without most of the season due to injury.

THE EASTERN DIVISION SWING: The Kamloops Blazers are back in Saskatchewan for the first time since October 2009. The Blazers have been unsuccessful in the last two Eastern Division road trips. In 2008-09, the Blazers finished the 6-game trip with a 1-5-0-0 record. The lone win came in 5-4 overtime win in Regina. In 2006-07, the Blazers finished the 6-game trip with a 0-6-0-0 record. The 2006-07 trip resulted in a coaching change at the end of the season. The 2008-09 road trip resulted in a coaching change following the last game in the East Division. The Blazers are a much different team though this season. They are off to one of their best starts in recent memory. The Blazers also boast one of the best records in the WHL going 9-2-1-0 this season.

THE MATCH-UP: The Blazers and Broncos are meeting for the only time of the season tonight. The Blazers took down the Broncos last season 3-2 in Kamloops. Ironically, the Blazers hosted the Broncos on December 10, 2010. The Blazers were led by their captain Chase Schaber who had a goal and two assists. Jordan DePape had a goal and two assists as well, and Brendan Ranford finished with a goal and an assist. Cody Eakin scored both goals for the Broncos in the loss.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS ‘Who to Watch’: The Kamloops Blazers have a roster filled with a mix of WHL veterans and WHL rookies. The Blazers offence has been spread out throughout three lines. Chase Schaber, Colin Smith and Brendan Ranford are the veteran leaders up front that are pacing the offence. The loss of forward Jordan DePape will be tough on the hockey club, but will give opportunity to some of the younger players. DePape will be out until at least March with an injury. The Blazers have relied on veterans Dylan Willick, and JC Lipon to pitch in on the offensive load. Some young rookies that have caught the eyes of scouts and fans include a pair of 16-year-old forwards, Matthew Needham and Cole Ully. Import Tim Bozon, who is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, has been outstanding to this point of the season with 24 points in 29 games. Logan McVeigh, Chase Souto, Aspen Sterzer and Ryan Hanes have contributed with energy and work ethic. Newly acquired forward Brock Balson should compliment the forward crop. On the back end, veteran defensemen Austin Madaisky, Bronson Maschmeyer and Tyler Hansen are leading the way. All three defensemen are into their third or fourth WHL season. Add in second-year players Marek Hrbas, and Brady Gaudet and the Blazers have experience on the back end. First year defensemen Tyler Bell and Landon Cross have both played well when needed this season. The goaltending position has been solid for the Blazers with veteran Cam Lanigan and rookie Cole Cheveldave as the two goaltenders. Cheveldave and Lanigan have both played well, and are expected to share the net most of the season. 

SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS ‘Who to Watch’: The Swift Current Broncos are coming into this game on a three game winning streak. The Broncos have some talent up front that is led by their 20-year-olds Taylor Vause and Brad Hoban. Vause is in his fourth season with the Broncos, while Hoban is in his fifth season. Both forwards have contributed up front, as Vause sits 13^th in WHL scoring. The Broncos have depth though with rookies Coda Gordon and Graham Black both putting up just under a point per game. Adam Lowry is also a dynamic forward who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets this past year. The lanky 18-year-old is in his third WHL season and is producing at a point per game pace. The Broncos scoring up front drops off, but they are a young and tough group. The team leads the WHL in fighting majors this season. On defence, the Broncos have a lot of experience. This starts from 18-year-old defenseman Reece Scarlett. Scarlett has 24 points this season and is a huge part of their power play. The Broncos also have experienced defensemen in Graeme Craig, Richard Nedomlel, Dalton Reum, Erik Fleming and Tanner Muth. In goal, the Broncos have a 20-year-old in Jon Groenheyde and 18-year-old Austin Smith. Groenheyde is a former Blazers goaltender, while Smith serves as his back-up.    

NHL DRAFT: Austin Madaisky (Columbus, 5^th round, 124^th overall in 2010), Brendan Ranford (Philadelphia, 7^th round, 209^th overall in 2010)

INJURY REPORT: Jordan DePape (Upper Body, one month+). Man games lost due to injury – 33.

DID YOU KNOW… Forward Brendan Ranford leads the Blazers with 16 goals, 18 assists and 34 points this season… 19-year-old defenseman Austin Madaisky leads the Blazers defence in scoring with 5 goals, 18 assists and 23 points playing in 29 games… Third year defenseman Tyler Hansen leads the Blazers with +21 rating… Chase Schaber has 5 goals and 6 assists over the past six games… Logan McVeigh has surpassed last season’s point total with 14 points this season… Ryan Hanes had tied his goal output from the past two seasons with 4 goals… Colin Smith recorded his 100^th WHL point in Prince George on November 4^th… Dylan Willick has only missed one game over the past two and a half seasons… Bronson Maschmeyer is the Blazers current iron man playing in his 174^th consecutive game tonight… 16-year-old Matt Needham has 11 points over his past nine games… Brendan Ranford is the longest serving Blazer and has played 235 WHL games and has 212 points all with the Blazers… Forward JC Lipon has 27 points this season which eclipses his career high total of 21 last season… The Blazers have a league leading 10 shorthanded goals, compared to only 4 shorthanded markers all of last season… The Blazers are 9-1-0-0 on Friday nights this season… Brendan Ranford has 4 goals and 9 assists in his seven-game point streak… The Blazers have the best road winning percentage in the WHL going 9-2-1-0 with a .792 winning percentage… The Blazers goal differential is among the best in the WHL with 120 goals for and 80 goals against…