– The Brandon Wheat Kings will be out to break a six-game winless streak Wednesday night when they host the Victoria Royals (7:00 p.m., Westman Communications Group Place). The old adage is that ‘desperate times call for desperate measures’. After scoring seven goals in the last six games, and having a lengthy injury list, the Wheat Kings could be at that point. During practice yesterday, defenceman Eric Roy practiced as a forward on a line with Tim McGauley and Richard Nejezchleb although it was uncertain if he’ll be playing in that spot come puck drop on Wednesday night. Forward Rihards Bukarts and defenceman Rene Hunter both participated fully in practice Tuesday but Peter Quenneville and Jayce Hawryluk both sat out and John Quenneville was in a no-contact jersey. For more on the Wheat Kings, visit Bruce Luebke’s blog at http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/
– Brandon Wheat Kings’ defenceman Colton Waltz has been suspended by the Western Hockey League. The suspension comes under supplemental discipline for an unpenalized hit on Regina forward Dryden Hunt during the first period of Monday’s loss to the Pats. Reports are Hunt suffered a concussion. The length of Waltz’s suspension has yet to be finalized.
– Three members of the Brandon Wheat Kings were named in the latest Red Line Report, an independant scouting review. John Quenneville was ranked 30th, Jayce Hawryluk has ranked 40th and Rihards Bukarts was ranked 96th for the 2014 NHL Draft. Brandon has had at least one player selected in the NHL Draft for nine consecutive years. The Red Line Report also has Elkhorn product Travis Sanheim of the Calgary Hitmen rated 42nd.
– Cole Holowenko made 41 saves to lead the Swan Valley Stampeders to a 4-3 victory over the Virden Oil Capitals in the lone Manitoba Junior Hockey League game Tuesday night. Lucas Oliver, Cole Oliver and Ben Williams scored the goals for Virden. The loss leaves the Oil Caps still nine points behind Dauphin for first-place in Sher-Wood Division.
– The Neepawa Natives wouldn’t be sanctioned for the late postponement of a December 21st game in Virden. A lack of players because of illness and injuries forced the Natives to cancel their game with the Oil Capitals on short notice, and before they had permission in advance from the league. MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis says Neepawa was sent notice that they were in violation of the league’s bylaws, but the consequence is that the game will be played. The Oil Caps will host the Natives in that makeup game on Thursday.
– Kyle McLeod had three goals and two assists to pace the Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks to a 9-4 win over the Kenton Cougars in North Central Hockey League action Tuesday night. The defending champs sweep the Best-of-Five Quarter-Final and move into the semifinals. Meanwhile, Foxwarren edged Minnedosa 7-6 on Tuesday night to tie their Best-of-Five Quarter-Final 1-1.
– Glenboro product Josh Wytinck will be making a trip overseas to represent our country. The University of Manitoba Bisons’ golfer has been named to the Canadian team for the World University Golf Championship that’ll take place ni Switzerland in late June. Wytinck won three events competing for the U-of-M last fall, which his 2013 season also included a fourth-place finish at the Manitoba Amateur and a 21st-place showing at the Canadian University Championship.
– Amy Gordon has made her choice. The Neelin Spartans’ setter has committed to the Mount Royals Cougars’ volleyball team for next season. Gordon helped Neelin to a runner-up finish at the AAAA Provincials last November, being named a tournament all-star in the process. CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston has more on Gordon’s committment here.
– The Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame has unveiled its class fo 2014. Former Brandon resident Steve Gould will be enshrined in the Player Category. Gould won six Provincial title, three Canadian titles and two world titles as lead for Jeff Stoughton. Icemaker extraordinaire Hans Wuthrich and former Curl Manitoba president Mitch Tarapasky will be inducted in the Builder Category, while Barry Fry 1979 Brier champions and Cathy Pidzarko’s 1978 Canadian Women’s Championship foursome will be enshrined in the Team Category.
– Receiver Terrence Edwards is retiring after nine seasons in the CFL and the last seven with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who praised him as one of their greats. He joined them as a free agent in 2007 and turns 35 next month. Edwards sits fourth on the team for receiving yards, produced five 1,000-yard-plus seasons and 24 100-yard-plus games. That’s second only to Milt Stegall among all-time Bombers receivers. Meanwhile, free agent receiver Chris Matthews is NFL bound. The 2012 CFL rookie of the year signed with the Seattle Seahawks following two seasons north of the border with the Bombers.
– Paige Small of the Treherne Tigers basketball team is the Tri-Star Rural High School Athlete of the Week. Small is averaging 24 points and six steals per game this season, and has helped the Tigers team to a pair of tournament titles. She was selected tournament MVP at both events.
– Canada has to get by Latvia in men’s hockey to qualify for the semifinals. Finland has upset Russia 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament Wednesday while Sweden blanked Slovenia 5-0.
– Jennifer Jones is a win away from a perfect Olympics after a 6-4 win over Britain’s Even Muirhead in their women’s curling semifinal. Later Wednesday, it’s the men’s turn as Brad Jacobs challenges China.
– Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse are in a good position to defend their Olympic women’s bobsled title. The Canadians are in second place, 23-100th’s of a second behind an American sled.
– The women’s short program goes Wednesday and free skate is set for Thursday as figure skating returns to the spotlight. Newfoundland’s Kaetlyn Osmond is Canada’s best bet as the two-time national champion. Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ontario is also on the Canadian roster.
