March 14th 2008

The Chilliwack Bruins broke a nine game losing streak and also locked down 7th place in the Western Conference with a 3-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers Friday night in Chilliwack.

Jordan Rowley gave the Blazers the lead 1-0 on the power play early in period two, but after that it was all Bruins as Mark Santorelli scored late in the second to tie things up before Evan Pighin notched his 20th goal of the season early in the third.  Cody Smuk added an empty netter late in the period and the Bruins win their 27th game of the season, but their first since a 3-2 win over Edmonton back on Feb 19.

Mark Friesen made 17 saves to earn his 9th victory of the season. Justin LeClerc made 31 saves in a losing effort for the Blazers.

Chilliwack was 1/4 on the power play. Kamloops was 1/6.

The Bruins will face the Vancouver Giants in the first round of the playoffs beginning next Friday in Vancouver.

The Bruins will continue their weekend of games with a home game against the Everett Silvertips on Saturday, followed by the season finale against the Giants in Vancouver on Sunday afternoon.

Ice Chips: Mark Santorelli now has 96 points, tied with Tri City Americans forward Colton Yellow Horn for second place in league scoring. Both players trail Kelowna's Colin Long by two points...Nick Holden picked up two assists and now has 59 points on the season, third best among WHL defenders...Bruins goaltender Mark Friesen stopped CJ Stretch on a penalty shot in the second period.

New Individual and Team Records set this season: