The Blazers now finally know their opponent in the WHL Western Conference Finals.
For the majority of last week, it was looking like it would be the Portland Winterhawks, after they took a commanding 3-1 series lead in their conference semifinals matchup against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
However, the scrappy Thunderbirds won game five 3-1, then game six 2-1, before flexing their offensive muscles in a 6-3 victory Tuesday night on the road to head to the next round.
The T’Birds are dotted with NHL prospects, as seven skaters have heard their named called in the draft.
In addition, they have three players who are ranked in the top 50 for North American skaters for the 2022 NHL draft. Chief among them is defender Kevin Korchinski, ranked seventh, and the leading power play threat for Seattle, contributing 10 points in 12 postseason games.
Photo Credit: Brian LiesseThunderbirds captain and 2020 Winnipeg Jets draft pick Tyrel Bauer flattens centre Dylan Sydor in a November game.
Penguins draftee Lukas Svejkovsky and 31st ranked 2022 draft prospect Reid Schaefer are tied for second in team playoff scoring with 14 points, and both contributed goals in the crucial game seven win last night.
In the net, the Thunderbirds are led by Coquitlam native Thomas Milic, who has amassed a 1.97 GAA and .928 SV% in 12 playoff starts.
The two clubs have only played each other three times in the regular season, where the Blazers won twice.
Photo Credit: Brian LiesseDefenceman Eric Van Impe tries to keep Blazers right winger Connor Levis from scoring in a November 2021 matchup.
In the two wins, Dylan Garand was a brick wall, stopping 64 of 66 shots. In the Blazers sole loss, Garand didn’t play, and they got lit up 6-1.
Kamloops will took to keep Logan Stankoven and Luke Toporowski hot, as the two have combined for 38 points in 10 postseason games.
Games one and two are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night, with puck drop at 7 pm from the Sandman Centre.
