Bruins blow out Blazers

A new head coach made little difference for the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night. Three days after giving Barry Smith the boot, the Blazers fell 7-1 to the surging Chilliwack Bruins at the Interior Savings Centre.

Seven different Bruins scored goals as Chilliwack reached the .500 mark (6-6-1-3) for the first team this season, handing Kamloops interim coach Scott Ferguson his first loss.

The Bruins led 3-0 after period one on goals by Mitch McColm (first), Roman Horak (fifth) and David Robinson (third), chasing Kamloops starter Jon Groenheyde from the net.

Justin Leclerc took over in period two, surrendering goals to Kevin Sundher (seventh) and Ryan Howse (tenth). Matej Bene got the lone Blazers goal on a second period power play, beating Chilliwack goaltender Lucas Gore for his first Western Hockey League goal.

Gore stopped 16 of 17 shots before leaving the game with an apparent injury to his left arm.

Backup Mark Friesen played the third period, stopping all 17 shots he faced. Tim Traber scored his first Western Hockey League goal, and Dylen McKinlay added his ninth of the season to wrap up the scoring.

The Bruins are at home this afternoon, at 2 p.m., hosting the Calgary Hitmen at Prospera Centre.