Liam Blackburn and Braiden Epp have brought their special magic to the Cariboo Cougars lineup this season.
The best friends, on and off the ice, have played hockey together for the past five seasons, usually on the same line, so it's no surprise the duo have began their B.C. Major Midget League careers in tandem.
"I've never had a brother that played any sports or anything," said Blackburn. "So to have him it's like having a brother to play sports with you.
"We sit beside each other in the dressing room so we go over lots of plays and on the ice when I see him with the puck I know where he's going and he knows where I'm going, so it's usually tape-to-tape passes everywhere."
A quick glance at the BCMML top scorers will attest to the chemistry Blackburn has with Epp on the ice, as the two are tied with 12 points, fifth (Epp) and sixth (Blackburn) overall. Epp has five goals while Blackburn, the centre, notched his fifth Saturday.
The chemistry has spread out to include 15-year-old linemate Brad Morrison, who has 12 points (eight goals).
Cougars head coach Trevor Sprague said Morrison's offensive abilities adds another dimension to the line.
"I think it's been a nice fit for them getting a guy like Morrison in the lineup with them and having that second or third punch," said Sprague." They're good communicators out there. They're positive, happy-go-lucky and work hard for their chances."
Sprague added that the trio play good defence to obtain their offensive chances.
"The back pressure they're using to create chances is helping them out more offensively and we get more chances out of all our lines by doing that."
Blackburn and Epp came to the Cougars after capturing the Tier 1 midget provincial championship with the Prince George Coast Inn Cougars last season. Three other Cougar teammates also made the leap from Tier 1 this season: forward Kirk Hards and defencemen Scott Cullen and Stephen Penner. Cullen played with Blackburn and Epp for five years.
"We're the fearless five," said Blackburn. "We all share in the championship and bring it up to this team."
Both Blackburn and Epp - in their 16-year-old seasons with the former celebrating in June and the later when the calendar turned to October - impressed the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings enough to earn affiliate player cards. They also attended a WHL camp with the Vancouver Giants in September.
"I've got to get faster and bigger," said the five-foot-11, 170-pound Epp. "There's lots of big kids there. [The Giants] just want me to excel, get better and come back next year."
Epp and Blackburn also play roller hockey together in the summer along with Cougars' teammates Hards and Logan Styler.
Blackburn said the key to his success with Epp is simple.
"Chemistry plus hard work is working for us," he said.
