Blazers move up to second spot in national rankings, while two players get good news

Photo: Kristen Ostrowski/Everett Silvertips

Logan Stankoven celebrates a power-play goal in the first period on Saturday in Everett. Stankoven was officially invited Wednesday to Team Canada's training camp ahead of this winter's World Junior Hockey Championship, which will get underway later this month in Edmonton and Red Deer.

The Kamloops Blazers have moved up another spot in the CHL Top 10 rankings, and two players have a shot at representing Canada at this winter’s World Junior Hockey Championship.

The Blazers moved up from third to second in this week’s Kia CHL Top 10 on Wednesday, about an hour after Dylan Garand and Logan Stankoven were shortlisted for Team Canada.

Garand will be one of three goalies wearing the Maple Leaf when the World Juniors get underway in Edmonton and Red Deer later this month, and Stankoven will have a shot at cracking the roster.

The Blazers play twice this weekend — against the Vancouver Giants in Langley on Friday, then at home to the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday.

Last weekend, the Blue and Orange knocked off the Everett Silvertips in a battle of WHL heavyweights. The loss was the first regulation defeat of the season for the 'Tips, who were previously ranked second in the CHL. They dropped to third spot this week.

Saturday’s game will be the first home game for the Blazers since provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Tuesday that gathering limit restrictions would be lifted in Interior Health — meaning Sandman Centre should be full on Saturday night, when the club will honour former president Don Moores, who died suddenly last summer.

Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 9

1. Winnipeg ICE
2. Kamloops Blazers
3. Everett Silvertips
4. Edmonton Oil Kings
5. London Knights
6. Charlottetown Islanders
7. Gatineau Olympiques
8. North Bay Battalion
9. Sherbrooke Phoenix
10. Hamilton Bulldogs
HM. Kingston Frontenacs
HM. Guelph Storm
HM. Quebec Remparts