– The Brandon Wheat Kings fell out of first-place in the WHL’s East Division with a 3-0 loss to the Swift Current Broncos. It’s the first time the Wheat Kings had been shut out this season, and leaves them two points behind the Broncos in the race for top spot. Brandon generated just 24 shots on goal in the contest, and 0-for-8 on the power-play. For more on the Wheat Kings, visit Bruce Luebke’s blog at http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/.
– The Yellowhead Chiefs came through with their backs against the wall by downing the Pembina Valley Hawks 3-2 in their regular season finale. Ashton Anderson, Josh Martin and Riley Shamray scored for the Chiefs, who now face the Interlake Lightning in a Tuesday night tiebreaker in Shoal Lake to decide the final playoff spot. In other action, Bradley Schoonbaert fired four goals as the regular season champion Brandon Wheat Kings knocked off the Lightning 8-1.
– The Virden Oil Capitals were handed a second straight loss and fourth in the last five games following a 5-2 setback against the Portage Terriers. Cole Hamblin had a goal and an assist for the Caps, who are four points back of top spot in the MJHL’s Sher-Wood Division. In other action, Dylan Gejdos had two goals and an assist to lead the Waywayseecappo Wolverines to a 4-1 win against Winnipeg Blues. Mitch Wiebe made 32 saves for the Wolverines, who moved four points ahead of the Neepawa Natives for the final playoff spot.
– An all-Westman final saw the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Shoal Lake/Rossburn Eagles 5-3 to capture the Peewee A Division title in the Tournament of Champions. Lex Friesen and Calder Anderson had a goal and an assist each for Brandon. The hometown Wheat Kings won the Peewee AA crown by beating the North Western Ontario Stars 6-2 and the Rivers Jets beat the Souris Elks 10-7 the capture the Atom A Division championship.
– A four-goal third period led Team Gold to a 5-0 win over Team Black in the Westman High School Hockey League’s all-star game. Landyn Cochrane of the Major Pratt Trojans scored twice while Cooper Blaine of the Vincent Massey Vikings and Brady Plett of the Neepawa Tigers combined for the shutout.
– A bronze medal winning debut for Manitoba’s Chelsea Carey at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Carey and company beat Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Lawton 7-3. Canada’s Rachel Homan captured consecutive Canadian championships by defeating Alberta’s Val Sweeting 8-6 in the final. At 13-0, they become the first team to go unbeaten at the Scotties since Linda Moore’s rink in 1985.
– Canada’s medal count is up to five at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Short-track speedskater Charles Hamelin finished in top spot in the men’s 1,500 metre. Our country has two gold, two silver and a bronze to sit second in the standings. Meanwhile, our Canadian curling teams are off to good starts with Jennifer Jones beating China 9-2 and Brad Jacobs got past Germany 11-8.
