– So far, so good for Canada at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Finland. Canada improved to 3-and-0 Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia, and will put that perfect record on the line when they conclude their round-robin by taking on Russia Tuesday. The Canadian teams includes Elkhorn product Travis Sanheim of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and three members of the Brandon Wheat Kings in Ryan Pilon, Jayce Hawryluk and John Quenneville.
– Tristan Jarry stopped 32 shots to lead the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers in WHL playoff action Sunday. Curtis Lazar scored twice for the Oil Kings as they take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Final. Game Three is Tuesday in Medicine Hat. The Western Conference Final between the Kelowna Rockets and Portland Winterhawks is tied 1-1, with Game Three Tuesday in Portland.
– The Tampa Bay Lightning are in danger of being swept in their first-round playoff series after losing Game 3 to Montreal. Tampa had a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the 3-2 loss. Tomas Plekanec, Rene Bourque, and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Habs, while Carey Price stopped 27 shots.
– The San Jose Sharks are up 2-0 in their series over LA thanks to fourth-liners Mike Brown and Raffi Torres. Brown and Torres scored in the second period to spark a San Jose comeback and lead the Sharks to a 7-2 victory. Justin Braun, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Joe Thornton also scored for San Jose. Antti Niemi made 24 saves.
– Earlier, the Boston Bruins evened their playoff series over the Red Wings with a 4-1 victory in Game 2. The Philadelphia Flyers are also evened their set with New York at a game apiece after doubling up the Rangers 4-2.
– Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Brent Seabrook has been suspended for three games for his hit on Blues centre David Backes during their first-round playoff series. Seabrook received a five-minute major and game misconduct penalty for a vicious elbow to Backes’ head late in the third period of Game 2 on Saturday. The suspension is a big blow for the Blackhawks, who are down 2-0 heading into Monday’s Game 3.
– A pair of National Hockey Championships are underway today. The Telus Cup National Midget Hockey Championship begins today in Moose Jaw, with the host Generals joined by the Prince Albert Mintos, Grenadiers de Châteauguay (Quebec), Halifax McDonald’s (Atlantic), Okanagan Rockets (Pacific) and Toronto Young Nationals (Central).
– Meanwhile, the Esso Cup National Female Hockey Championship began yesterday in Stoney Creek and Hamilton, Ontario. Host team the Stoney Creek Sabres join five regional champions, the Fraser Valley Phantom (Pacific – British Columbia), Edmonton Thunder (Pacific – Alberta), Weyburn Gold Wings (West), Sudbury Lady Wolves (Ontario) and Moncton Rockets (Atlantic).
– Kevin Martin’s curling career ended with a win. Martin’s Edmonton rink beat Olympic champion Brad Jacobs 4-3 to win the Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Championship Sunday. Martin announced Friday he was retiring and joining Sportsnet as an analyst. Jennifer Jones won the women’s title at the Players’ Championship, downing Rachel Homan 5-2 in the final.
– Several Westman athletes and coaches were honoured at the Basketball Manitoba awards banquet on Saturday. Shayna Mathison of Hamiota was named the A Female Player of the Year and Virden’s Heidi Smith took home AAA Female Player of the Year honours. Chris Unrau of Boissevain was named the AA Male Coach of the Year; Ryan Diehl of Glenboro earned A Male Coach of the Year and Jon Zilkey of Hamiota was the A Female Coach of the Year. Brandon’s Don Thomson was named Coach of the Year in the Open Category for his work with Manitoba’s 17-and-Under Provincial team.
– Three Brandonites open play Monday at the Canadian Junior Racquetball Championship in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Alexandra Murray is playing in the 16-and-Under Girls’ singles, and teaming with fellow Brandonite Milana Paddock for the Girls’ 18-and-Under doubles competition. Paddock is also complete in the 18-and-under Girls’ singles while Reid Sorotsky is playing in the Boys’ 12-and-Under singles division.
– The 118th running of the Boston Marathon is taking place Monday amid very strong security. Among the 36,000 runners participating is Brandon’s Deanna Peyachew, who made it a family affair. Peyachew’s husband James and sons Dylan and Riley competed in the five kilometre run Saturday that is part of the Boston Athletic Association’s marathon weekend.
– It’s getting to be that time of year. The Shilo Country Club will officially open on Thursday, though you’ll be able to get your practice swings in on the driving range as of Monday. You can begin booking your tee times as of noon Monday.
– The Blue Jays are on their way home from a nine-game road trip. Aaron Loup surrendered three runs in the sixth as Toronto lost 6-4 to the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Toronto finished the trip 5-and-4 and are 10-and-9 overall. The Jays are a game back of the New York Yankees for the AL East lead in the young season.
– If you are single, and you LOVE the Green Bay Packers, then there is a singles website just for you. Packers Backers promises on its site that you, too, can find other cheeseheads looking for love. The site says that "Whether you’re looking for true love, a long term relationship, are marriage minded, just looking for fun or maybe even just looking for friendship," Packers Backers is right for you. At last check, the website has just over 600 female members and almost 1,400 male members. Here’s the website — www.greenbaypackerslovers.com.
