The Kamloops Blazers went 1-1 during their weekend Alberta road trip.

The team opened with a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings before dropping a 6-2 decision to the Calgary Hitmen.

Head coach Barry Smith said the team was able to regroup after last week’s home loss to the Spokane Chiefs.

“We played well. The first game we were really good. Our second game, well, our goaltending wasn’t that great. It was a pretty good road trip and we can compete with those teams,” Smith said.

The Blazers had Justin Leclerc in net both nights.

“It’s hard to win when you don’t have a good goaltender. We talked about it and he [Leclerc] knows that he’s got to be better and he feels bad about that,” Smith said.

“I trust him to come back and play good again. Somebody plays good, I tell them they played good.”

n The Blazers are training at Memorial Arena this week, in preparation for their three games in four nights homestand.

Smith is taking the change in the practice facility in stride.

“Memorial? It’s fine for me. I think the guys like to go in there and see what it’s like.

“We’re in there for the week and they will get a chance to see how good they have it now and also see the tradition of the building.”

Memorial Arena has a smaller ice surface, which Smith said will make for better practices.

“It isn’t going to change anything we work on, but the smaller ice will just makes us react a little quicker.”

n The Blazers host the Prince George Cougars on Friday night.

The Cougars have captain Dana Tyrell back after spending some time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Prince George general manager Dallas Thompson has been busy tinkering with his roster.

The latest move came Monday with 19-year-old forward Cody Rainaldi being traded to the Portland Winter Hawks in exchange for future considerations.

On Saturday night, Kamloops hosts Chilliwack, which will be without star forward Oscar Moller, who will begin the NHL regular season with the Los Angles Kings.

Both games begin at 7 p.m. at Interior Savings Centre.

The Blazers finish the homestand Monday with a 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day start against the Prince Albert Raiders.

“Every weekend is a big weekend for me,” Smith said.

“I don’t put more emphasis one over the other. A point in October is no different than one in March.

“We should compete against everybody. We’ve got to be sharp.”