"I came out, I didn't see any pucks and I was like uh-oh, we're gonna be in for one today," said a fatigued Brendan Ranford following Wednesday's bag skate.
D Corey Fienhage equated it to the movie "Miracle" when Herb Brooks wasn't pleased following a game.
"It was like... again...again....again. Maybe it wasn't as bad as that but those back-and-forths were pretty grueling."
All in all the Blazers seemed pretty accepting of their punishment. The feeling was it'll make them better in the long run.
"No one complained, we knew it was coming. It was just one of those practices you have to suck it up and get it done," Fienhage continued.
The Blazers will know get ready for the Swift Current Broncos tomorrow night at Interior Savings Center.
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The Broncos come in cutting a swath through the BC division so far with wins in Chilliwack and Kelowna. The guy pictured to the left is on fire to make matters even more challenging for the Blazers.
Eakin has collected four goals and three helpers in those two games. This is the last game he'll play before departing for Toronto for the World Junior Selection Camp.
If you've stopped by the blog over the past few years you've no doubt noticed a lot of Eakin talk.
The kid has come a long way since his first games in the league at 15.
It's not often someone earns an AHL Championship ring before a WHL title but Eakin can claim that after an extended post-season with the Washington Capitals farm club in Hershey.
He only gets better when challenged. If he has a game-within-game going on with someone from the opposition he's going to win it. It's best to let sleeping dogs lie.
The Broncos will roll three pretty good lines tomorrow. Justin Dowling and Taylor Vause also don't need a lot of room to hurt you.
F Stepan Novotny has missed a stretch of games with a knee injury but is on the trip and may play at some point.
The Broncos young blue-line may be what the Blazers will have to target. It should be a good match-up.
For the Blazers, it's the last chance to make an impression on home ice in the first half as they will finish off with four straight on the road before the Christmas break.
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The Blazers will depart for Spokane following the game. It's the same situation they were in a couple weeks ago when they headed south after the game against Regina.
However there is a slight change this time. Two weeks ago, Spokane didn't play on the Friday night and were waiting for the Blazers to come in. This time around, they are in Vancouver tomorrow night and will have to bus back home. The trip is a couple hours shorter than Kamloops to Spokane.
The Chiefs will also be without captain Jared Cowen who will be off to Toronto for World Junior camp.
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Finally a big welcome-back to blogging for Ryan Switzer. His blog had been gathering dust the last three months. You can check his link over on the right.
Jon
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