March 17, 2013

Blazers hold firm, series tied after double overtime.



The Bellingham Blazers kept their championship hopes alive with a double overtime victory over the West Sound Warriors Saturday, March 16. Knotting the best of five series at 2-2. The Blazers took game one of the Cascade Cup in Bremerton earlier 3-0, but West Sound matched the win with an overtime victory the following evening. The series changed venues and the Warriors took game three, beating the Blazers on their home ice.

Saturday was do or die for Bellingham, needing to take the lead quickly the Blazers fired volley after volley on net in the first two periods, gaining a 3-1 advantage heading into the third. The Warriors would not fold, scoring three goals of their own, they forced overtime. After a grueling overtime period that saw West Sound out-shoot Bellingham, 18-9 shots on goal, Blazers' Goalie Cody Foster held firm sending the game into it's second overtime period. Both teams were at their limits, trying desperately to overcome the scoring drought. Finally with less than three minutes to play in the second overtime period Blazers Forward Bryce Kenning, with an assist from Kristjan Toivola, scored the final goal, ending game four and sending the series back to Bremerton. Final score: 5-4. Click here to view photos from the game.

March 9, 2013

Sweep! Blazers bests Generals



The Bellingham Blazers mark their inaugural season with their first playoff series sweep. The tension was thick in the Sportsplex arena as the Blazers held a 2-0 lead in the first round of the NOR PAC 2012-2013 playoffs over the Eugene Generals. Bellingham proved to be better prepared when they traveled to Oregon earlier, handing Eugene two-straight losses. Back on home ice the Blazers came out hot, firing in their goal in the first minute of play. The Generals would soon counter sending the match to a one-all-tie at the end of the first period. The second period was much like the first seeing the Blazers aggressively attacking the net, pushing the Generals to the breaking point. Bellingham scored once more and held the lead heading into the third. Finally the gloves came off and as Eugene lost their cool. Nine Generals saw the penalty box and their goalie was ejected after two more Blazers goals were scored, erupting in a brawl in front of Eugene's net. Final score 4-1. Click here to view photos of the game.

March 4, 2013

Bellingham Sweeps Vancouver to Closeout Season



The Bellingham Blazers closeout the 2012-2013 NOR PAC regular season with a three-game sweep of the Vancouver Vipers, capping the weekend with a blowout at the Sportsplex Saturday, March 2. The Vipers struck early, scoring in the first 30 seconds of the first period. The Blazers attacked the net with 20 shots-on-goal but did not score until the final minute of the first, matching the Vipers as the headed into the second. Vancouver held off the Blazers assault as long as they could yet in the final three minutes of the second period Bellingham scored three goals. Their domination continued into the third scoring six more goals, only allowing the Vipers to score once more. The Blazer head into the playoffs with all the momentum to make a run for the NOR PAC title. Final score 10-2. Click here to view photos of the game.