Ahhhh game day.
The Prince Albert Raiders kick off their BC road swing tonight against the Blazers at ISC. The Raiders will play six games over the next nine nights. They will play back-to-back nights in Prince George and then Red Deer to conclude the swing...that is cruel and unusual punishment.
The Raiders arrived late Wednesday night. They skated yesterday at ISC in the early afternoon. I've always liked the Raiders staff. Had a chance to talk to Bruno Campese, Steve Young and Craig Bedard afterwards.
One thing I want to ask Bruno about in our Behind the Bench segment is the goal that Jordan Eberle scored last night. Eberle was a Raider killer in his days in the WHL (among other teams). I'm sure he's seen a few of those Eberle beauties from the bench perspective the last three seasons.
Broadcaster Drew Wilson stopped by the station in the afternoon for a visit. For Drew, it's a return back to his home province.
It's also the return of local minor hockey product Brock Balson. In his first full season in PA, he told me it was "pretty weird" to come back to Kamloops after being away for a long period.
He admitted there will be plenty of friends, family and former teammates in the stands tonight.
After losing their first three games of the season, the Raiders have won three in a row.
Here's hoping the Raiders cut a swath through the BC division.... after tonight's game.
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On the Blazers side, it'll be the return of defenseman Linden Saip and Brandon Underwood. Both are coming off league imposed suspensions.
F Jordan DePape is a question mark entering the contest. He was hurt Saturday in Chilliwack. F Chase Souto won't play.
I'd expect G Jeff Bosch to get the call in goal tonight as well.
The Blazers will play three games in the next four days. It's off to Vancouver tomorrow night. They host Vancouver Monday in a 2pm matinee game.
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Speaking of Vancouver, I was a guest on the Giants Hockey Hour radio show last night out of Van on AM 650 with host Dan Elliot. I've been told the rivalry between the Giants and Blazers is a heated one. A lot of connections between the two teams on the bench, on the ice and in the front-office.
I'd looking forward to my first look at D David Musil of the Giants - the highly touted NHL prospect.
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The latest edition of WHL This Week - Radio Edition is available on whl.ca.
This week's guests include Jared Cowen of the Spokane Chiefs, WHL Player of the Week Brad Ross and Swift Current Broncos F Cody Eakin.
All three of these players will likely get an invite to Canada's World Junior selection camp in December. Ross may be on the outside a little bit at 18, but the Leafs 2nd round pick might add a little sandpaper and scoring ability to the mix.
That's all for today.... enjoy the weekend,
jon
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