Published: November 04, 2010 6:00 PM

We are here to play hard and to win. We plan on achieving the goals that we have set out as a team for the year which means, no holding back.

Those are the words of Mid-Island Blazers Mens AA hockey coach Gary Kremsater. And Sunday afternoon at the Comox Valley Sports Centre, the Blazers backed up those words big time with a 9-1 win over the Powell River Regals.

The star of this game was Blazers goalie Evan Murray. He stood on his head and robbed the Regals on every shot except one. While the final score wasnt a true reflection of the game itself, you cant help but wonder fans and Blazers alike What happened to the Regals?

Two things. First, the Regals didnt have their full squad with them. We were missing some key players, according to Regals coach Tod English. And second, Keep in mind that the season is still young. As the players reacquaint themselves with the ice and get back into shape the games will become more challenging for all, noted Blazers assistant captain Curtus Larson.

Im sure that the game this coming weekend in Powell River will be much closer on the scoreboard and on the ice were looking forward to it, Larson added.

ICE CHIPS The Blazers next home game is Saturday, Nov. 13 at Sports Centre #1 at 7:15 p.m. against the Sechelt Hitmen ... the Hitmen have been practising once and even twice a week gearing up for this game, and for those who understand the importance of practices, stay tuned this rematch may just keep fans on the edge of their seats ...

Blazers burn Regals
by Glen Gibbs | Peak Sports
Published: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 9:05 PM CDT

Halloween Sunday wasnt the best day for Powell River Regals to bounce back from its opening season loss to Sechelt Hitmen. But a schedule is a schedule so off they went to Courtenay to play the Mid Island Blazers with one goalie, four defencemen and eight forwards.

Mid Island was a force to deal with last year at the Coy Cup and it looks as though theyre intent on giving it another shot.

They roared out of the gate on Sunday and were up 8-0 before Regals could respond once.

I looked up at the clock at the halfway point and they had just scored so it was 7-0, reported Andy Welsh. I thought oh God, this could get ugly. From then on they beat us 2-1 and we really didnt capitalize on any of our chances...It was just one of those things where we got so far behind we were out of it.

Regals lone goal came at 16:34 of the final period when Keegan Young got the puck to Eric Albertson and the big forward slammed the puck in from the slot.

That was it for the offence but too little too late for the young team who played without the services of veteran netminder Chad Vizzutti.

Renee Holmgren got the start in the net for Regals and his initiation was a tough one as he faced twice as many shots as his counterpart.

After the game coach Tod English said, Its time for the people who have made a commitment to play to be there because when youre short-benched youre okay but youve got to have the right guys. Weve gone two weeks in a row like this and I expect this coming weekend against Mid Island to have a lot stronger lineup.

The difficulty for the Regals is a desire to load up on local content but also to fill the holes left by players who have moved on.

They include players such as Trevor Burnett, Laszlo Tamasik, Ross Hollingsworth, Cody Ketchum, Brandon Cummings and Ryan Alexander.

Thats six players who arent practicing or playing and the youngsters who have joined the club, such as Holgrem, Lucas Behan, Danny Lockstead and Ross Thompson need time to make the adjustment to senior mens hockey.

Blueliners Jordy Smith and Dale Lupul have indicated their desire to play again this year.

The reinforcements cant come soon enough for veterans like Welsh who filled in on the backend. After we went down 3-0, I played defence for the second half of the game, he said, and I bet I played 14 minutes of the third period. Hopefully we have Lupul this weekend because a puck-moving defenceman is so key. Without that youre in trouble right from the get-go.

Tweaking local talent has always been the AA goal for Regals and organizers look to follow that philosophy this year.

Were going to build our team around our local team, said English, and thats what our year will be like. Last year we had 22 from Powell River and this year it might only be 16 which is good but we prefer it to be more.

Heading into their game against Mid Island Blazers at 8 pm on Saturday, November 6 at Hap Parker Arena, Regals need to come up with a big effort.