Smith and new-look Blazers hosting ‘Tips

Colin Smith (left) of the Kamloops Blazers watches the puck trickle over the goal line in a game against the Everett Silvertips last season. Kamloops is hosting Everett on Thursday, Feb. 7, at Interior Savings Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.

Allen Douglas/KTW

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Colin Smith had to scroll through Twitter to find out he was the Canadian Hockey League’s player of the week.

It was a pleasant surprise — and life of late has been full of surprises for the Blazers’ top scorer, including the news last week of the dissolution of his line, delivered without the aid of social media, in person, by head coach Guy Charron.

“At first, I mean, it’s a little bit of a surprise because we’ve been together for a while,” Smith said.

“Obviously, the coaches thought it was necessary.”

JC Lipon, formerly right-winger on a line with Smith, a centre, and left-winger Tim Bozon, was moved to the second line, centred by Dylan Willick and flanked on the left side by Brendan Ranford.

Kale Kessy was moved up to play right-wing with Smith and Bozon.

Charron looks like a genius after two games with the new pairings in place.

Those six players combined for 22 points in a pair of weekend wins — over Spokane, 7-4, on Friday, Feb. 1, and Everett, 3-2, on Saturday, Feb. 2.

The rematch with Everett gets underway tonight (Feb. 7) at Interior Savings Centre.

Game time is 7 p.m.

“I dont know about fresh start,” Smith said.

“It’s just a matter of a little tweak. I think it helps everybody.