Slam Take Flight in Season Opener

The Bellingham Slam open the 2014 International Basketball League season with a home win over the Seattle Flight. Fresh faces on Bellingham's roster meant team chemistry was a key concern for first-year, and former Slam player, Tyler Amaya. He would get a chance to test the rookies as his veteran lineup created a big lead early and did not let the Flight within 10-points the entire game. Guard Jacob Stevenson lead all scorers with 23 points while six of his teammates contributed double digit points in the effort. The Slam bench saw plenty of floor time along with their newest addition, former Nippon Tornadoes guard Kosei Ban. Ban quickly became a fan favorite in his debut, scoring eight points in his seven minutes on the court. Final score: 142-93. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs Fall to Kings

The Bellingham Bulldogs began the 2014 Pacific Football League season with a non-league match against the Puyallup Nation Kings of the Western Washington Football Alliance Saturday, April 12^th at Lummi Nation School. Bellingham started flat and sluggish. The offense had a difficult time maintaining a consistent drive. The Kings in contrast came prepared to win. Dictating tempo and moving the chains at will. The Bulldogs quickly fell behind by two touchdowns with Puyallup creating opportunities through a read-option style offensive attack.

Bulldogs quarterback Eric Taylor orchestrated a long drive late in the first quarter to put Bellingham on the score board. The Kings would answer the Bulldogs touchdown with one of their own at the beginning of the second period. The Bulldogs offense was just getting warmed up. Two more drives by Bellingham resulted in a touchdown and field goal but a kick return for a touchdown by Puyallup sent the Bulldogs into the half with a large deficit to overcome.

The Kings opened up the half by playing clock-ball. Relying heavily on their running game, Puyallup chewed up time in the third quarter. Bellingham's defense forced a fumble giving the offense a quick scoring opportunity. But another clock-eating drive by Puyallup at the end of the third kept their lead at arms length.

Eric Taylor tried to keep hope alive for the Bulldogs with a scoring drive at the start of the fourth but back-to-back touchdowns by the Kings killed any chance for Bellingham to pullout a comeback. Final score: 36-47. Click here to view photos from the game.

Blazers Repeat Champions

The Bellingham Blazers win their second straight championship title in dramatic fashion against the West Sound Warriors Sunday, March 9, in front of their home crowd at the Sportsplex. Splitting the 5-game series with West Sound, Bellingham had the home-ice advantage heading into Sunday and the fan energy was electric. The Blazers started by aggressively pursuing the puck, firing 18 shots-on-goal in the first period, but the Warriors were able to keep up with the pace shooting 12 of their own. By the end of the second Bellingham had a 3-2 goal lead and looked to run away with the game. West Sound would claw their way back in the third, scoring two unanswered goals. The Warriors tied the game at the end of regulation, sending the championship bought into a sudden-death overtime. Both sides furiously fought for the puck but with the flick of a wrist from Bellingham's Micky Turner, the game was over. The Bellingham Blazers are back to back Cascade Cups Champions! Final score: 6-5. Click here to view photos from the game.

Blazers Duke It Out With Warriors

The Bellingham Blazers even the Northern Pacific Hockey League’ Cascade Cup Championship playoff series with the West Sound Warriors Wednesday, March 5th at the Sportsplex. After losing the first game to West Sound 2-4, Bellingham pined their ears back and relentlessly attacked the Warriors' net. Leading with 45 to 33 shots on goal the Blazers' barrage broke through six times. The intensity on the ice showed in the penalty box as well. Both sides saw time in the box with 31 total offenses and 81 total penalty minutes. Final score: 6-2. Click here to view photos from the game.

Blazers Win Final Home Stand

The Bellingham Blazers wrap up the 2013-2014 regular season home games with a two-game sweep of the Eugene Generals at the Sportsplex Saturday, February 2^nd. The action started fast and furious. Bellingham scored twice in the first period and scored again in the second and third. Eugene fought tooth and nail throughout the match but the Blazers speed and defense proved to be too much for the Generals. Final score: 4-1. Click here to view photos of the game.