The Rebels are coming off a 2-1 OT win on home ice last night over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. It was their 40th win to improve their record to a very impressive 40-14-2-4. To say the task won't be easy tonight would be a massive understatement.
It's the 2nd meeting of the season between the clubs. Back in October, Jeff Bosch made 39 saves and Brendan Ranford scored a late PP goal to lift the Blazers to a 1-0 win. The penalty kill also killed off 10 Rebel PP's.
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Blazer captain Chase Schaber skated lightly today and told me he's feeling good. There's still no timetable for his return although he's progressing. The Blazers didn't use their ice today at Red Deer so I joined Schaber for a bit of a light skate around. It's fun to get out there once in awhile and fire the puck around. Chase also made sure "Rocky" made it down to the rink. See below.
JC Lipon and the German Rottweiler Rocky in the morning
Logan McVeigh keeps his distance just a little------
Although the coaching staff wasn't pleased with the effort, the Blazers found a way to win last night in Edmonton. Jeff Bosch was solid in goal - especially in the third in a 3-3 game. Thomas Frazee's overtime winner was his 2nd of the game.
It allowed The Blazers to beat their former teammate in John Groenheyde who got off to a bit of shaky start but settled in and played well. He would finish the night with 31 stops.
The Oil Kings didn't care about getting the game to OT. They wanted the regulation win and came at the Blazers in the final period outshooting them 21-7. While the Blazers seemed content to chip pucks and get them in deep, the Oil Kings carried the puck more and looked to push the pace. Their defenseman were also very active in the attack
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It looked like we were going to see a heavyweight bout between Josh Caron and Cam Abney in the 2nd period. Caron tried to get Abney to go and finally persuaded him. The linesman stepped in right away because of the tape on Abney's hands. You could tell though Abney wasn't willing. He may be injured. It appeared to be the reason he declined at first.
Abney didn't play another shift after that.
A couple scraps did take place. The Blazers Ryan Hanes finished 2nd in a bout with Klarc Wilson in the first period. JC Lipon made short work of the Oil Kings Dylan Wruck in the third. Wruck is their leading point getter and I don't think he fights often. Lipon continues to drop everyone that comes his way.
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We're on the air at 6pm PT with our pre-game show, play-by-play at 6:30pm from the Enmax Centrium. Talk to you then.,...
Jon
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