– Jesse Gabrielle is hoping to build on a solid first round playoff series. The 16-year old rookie had three goals and six points in Brandon’s four-game sweep of the Regina Pats, giving Gabrielle seven goals and 16 points in the last 15 games. Brandon begins their second round series in Edmonton with games one and two on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. For more on the Wheat Kings, visit Bruce Luebke’s blog at http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/.
– Leon Draisaitl of the Prince Albert Raiders and Jordon Cooke of the Kelowna Rockets are the WHL players of the month for March. Draisaitl had nine goals and 19 points to go with a plus-12 rating while Cooke went 4-1 with one shutout while posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.
– The future of the Neepawa Natives is up in the air. The community-owned club is holding a ‘Survive or Thrive’ meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Yellowhead Centre to raise awareness that volunteer support and income is needed to keep the franchise going. The Natives celebrated their 25th anniversary in the MJHL this season.
– The Winnipeg Blues have booked their spot for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Turnbull Cup final. The Blues got three straight third period goals to beat the Steinbach Pistons 3-2 on Tuesday night. Winnipeg wins the best-of-seven Addison Division Final in five games and will meet the Dauphin Kings in the championship series.
– Andrew Ladd scored in regulation and the shootout to lead the Winnipeg Jets past the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 on Tuesday night to keep their razor-third playoff hopes alive. Ondrej Pavelec made 28 saves for Winnipeg who sit seven points back of both Phoenix and the Dallas Stars in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with five games to go.
– Canada’s Kevin Koe dropped a 6-2 decision against Sweden on Wednesday at the World Men’s Curling Championship. The Canadians are tied with Switzerland for third-place at 6-3 going into their final two games of the round-robin. Japan is second in the standings at 7-2 while Norway is leading the way at 8-1.
– Edmonton’s Randy Ferbey is going to be enshrined into the World Curling Hall of Fame. Ferbey won four world championships and a record-holding six Briers. He’ll be honoured at next year’s world championship in Halifax.
– The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are reaching into their past to help out with their present and future. Bob Wylie is back with the Bombers after serving as the team’s offensive line coach in 2007 and 2008. Wylie’s coached over 20 pro seasons including the Oakland Raiders’ o-line in 2011.
– Adam Lind hit a three-run homer as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2. Drew Hutchison allowed three hits, three walks and struck out four in 5 1/3 shutout innings to win first game in the big leagues since 2012.
– The Masters will be missing major star power with Tiger Woods not able to play following back surgery. Tiger has been stuck at 14 major championships since winning the 2008 U.S. Open. He’s four shy of the record held by Jack Nicklaus with 18.
