Hockey – Brandon Sun

Wheaties top Hitmen in likely playoff preview

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Yesterday at 12:02 AM CDT

In a preview of a likely first-round playoff matchup, Joby Baumuller scored and added an assist in his return to the lineup as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Calgary Hitmen 6-4 in Western Hockey League action at Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday.

The Hitmen now lead the Wheat Kings by just two points with five games remaining for both clubs. Barring a dramatic development, the two will meet in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, although who will host Games 1 and 2 is yet to be decided.

Fifth-place Brandon (38-24-1-0) received its goals from Joby Baumuller, Chase Surkan, Prabh Bhathal, Max Lavoie, Jaxon Jacobson and Brett Wilson, with Julien Maze scoring twice and Andrei Molgachev and Keaton Jundt also replying for fourth-place Calgary (35-19-8-1) in front of a crowd of 2,408.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was a terrific start to the trip, but it will all be for naught if his club doesn’t continue to rise to the challenge. They visit the Red Deer Rebels on Friday and the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday.

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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler quickly finds his form after call-up

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler quickly finds his form after call-up

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:48 AM CDT

OTTAWA - Martin St. Louis may have tough decisions ahead.

The Montreal Canadiens coach raised eyebrows when he announced Jacob Fowler would start Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.

The 21-year-old was instrumental, however, in Montreal's 3-2 victory with 32 saves.

After his recall from the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket, Fowler was in Ottawa ahead of his teammates Tuesday while Jakub Dobes made 17 saves in Montreal's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Montreal.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:48 AM CDT

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) tracks the puck as Ottawa Senators' Dylan Cozens (24) falls to the ice during third period NHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Konecny, Zegras score to help rally Flyers to a win over the Capitals

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Konecny, Zegras score to help rally Flyers to a win over the Capitals

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 12:37 AM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras scored in the second period and the Philadelphia Flyers rallied to beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Washington has lost four of its last five games and is tied with Philadelphia at 71 points. Both teams are seven points behind Boston in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The Flyers fell behind early when Washington’s Ryan Leonard took a pass from 40-year-old Alex Ovechkin and shot it through a screen past goalie Sam Ersson 9:21 into the game.

Through 64 games this season, it was the 44th time the Flyers had allowed the first goal. And, Philadelphia was 6-15-5 this season when trailing after the first period.

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Yesterday at 12:37 AM CDT

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras (46) scores past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Demidov scores game-winner, Canadiens beat Senators 3-2

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Demidov scores game-winner, Canadiens beat Senators 3-2

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

OTTAWA - Ivan Demidov scored the game-winner to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Demidov also had an assist in the game. Juraj Slafkovsky and Alexandre Texier scored Montreal's other goals, with goaltender Jacob Fowler earning the win with 32 saves.

Demidov produced the winner for Montreal (36-18-10) with seven minutes 20 seconds remaining. He pounced on an Alex Newhook rebound to beat Linus Ullmark, who stopped 20 shots.

Drake Batherson scored both goals for Ottawa (32-23-9).

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Texier (85) celebrates his goal on Ottawa Senators' goaltender Linus Ullmark (35), not pictured, with teammates during second period NHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Wheat Kings win across board

3 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings win across board

3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

It was a good night for the Brandon Wheat Kings AAA teams on Tuesday, as the under-18, U17, and U15 squads all collected important wins in their respective playoff series matchups.

U18

Forward Hudson Champagne tallied the game-winning goal eight minutes 20 seconds into double overtime from Crew Elder and Kevin Knee as the Wheat Kings edged the Winnipeg Wild 3-2 in Game 1 of their Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League best-of-five semifinals matchup.

Kale Jones and Benjamin Sveistrup gave Brandon a 2-0 lead, while Jaxon Dean and Max George replied for Winnipeg in the third period.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Hudson Champagne scored the game winning goal in double overtime against the Winnipeg Wild to give his team a 1-0 series lead in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League best-of-five semifinals matchup. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

‘The message has to be real’: NHL coaches on the art of delivering pre-game speeches

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘The message has to be real’: NHL coaches on the art of delivering pre-game speeches

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Mike Sullivan has delivered plenty of speeches in the locker room.

Playoff games. Stanley Cup finals. A gold-medal showdown at the Olympics.

The New York Rangers bench boss has also addressed teams in the dog days of a professional hockey schedule that might stretch from September to late June.

"You can play over 100 times a year as an NHL hockey player," Sullivan said. "I feel like the Knute Rockne speeches get old."

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, centre top, yells instructions during the first period against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Canadiens recall goalie Jacob Fowler from AHL, will start against Senators

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadiens recall goalie Jacob Fowler from AHL, will start against Senators

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

OTTAWA - The Montreal Canadiens have recalled goaltender Jacob Fowler from the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket and named him the starter for their game Wednesday night against the Senators in Ottawa.

The move comes with the Canadiens appearing ready to move on from Sam Montembeault, who began the season as Montreal's starter.

Montembeault has a 10-8-4 record this season with a 3.43 goals-against average and .872 save percentage. He has given up nine goals over his two starts since the NHL returned from its Olympic break.

Fowler has a 4-4-2 record with a 2.62 GAA and .902 save percentage in 10 games with Montreal this season. He has gone 19-7-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .916 save percentage with the Rocket.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Sabres winger Jason Zucker skates in front of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler in Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

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Ducks continue determined push for playoffs with solid 3-1 win over Jets

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Ducks continue determined push for playoffs with solid 3-1 win over Jets

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

WINNIPEG - The Anaheim Ducks are in the middle of a fierce battle for top spot in the Pacific Division, but they aren’t letting the standings distract them from their ultimate goal.

With the intensity of the stretch drive ramping up, the Ducks (36-25-3) took another step toward securing their post-season berth with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre Tuesday.

“A month ago, it was a different situation, then we go on a run and now we’re in first in the Pacific,” said veteran forward Alex Killorn, who had a goal and an assist in the win.

“You try not to think about it too much, but it’s just one of those things that it’s so tight, every game is so important. Points are so important that you need to get them when you can.”

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Anaheim Ducks' Tim Washe (front right) celebrates his goal on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) as Haydn Fleury (24) falls into the net during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Tuesday March 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

Maple Leafs’ losing streak extends to eight games: ‘We just need more’

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Maple Leafs’ losing streak extends to eight games: ‘We just need more’

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

MONTREAL - Craig Berube liked what he saw — in most of the final 40 minutes.

The first period, meanwhile, looked far more like the version of the Toronto Maple Leafs that has them staring down a lengthy losing streak and a first missed trip to the playoffs since 2016.

The Montreal Canadiens jumped out to a 2-0 lead en route to a 3-1 win over their Original Six rivals Tuesday night, extending Toronto’s winless skid to eight games.

“They outskated us and had the play in the first period,” Leafs coach Berube said. “I thought we did a much better job in the second period, got ourselves back in the game. We just need more.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Montreal Canadiens' Phillip Danault (24) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

McDavid’s late power-play winner lifts Oilers past Avalanche 4-3

Craig Meyer, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

McDavid’s late power-play winner lifts Oilers past Avalanche 4-3

Craig Meyer, The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

DENVER (AP) — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two goals, Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Tuesday night.

McDavid’s goal, his 36th of the season, came on a snap shot on the power play with 10:57 remaining in the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie.

In a game featuring three of the NHL’s four points leaders, Leon Draisaitl had his 59th and 60th assists of the season, the second of which set up McDavid’s winner. Jack Roslovic also scored for the Oilers, who won for the fourth time in six games after a four-game losing streak. It was Nugent-Hopkins’ third multigoal game of the season and first since Dec. 21.

Edmonton had two goals on four power-play opportunities against an Avalanche team that had the NHL’s third-best penalty kill entering the night.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin, front, shoots the puck as Colorado Avalanche defenceman Sam Malinski covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

NHL roundup: Quinn’s hat trick fuels Sabres’ eighth straight win in 6-3 rout over Sharks

The Associated Press 10 minute read Preview

NHL roundup: Quinn’s hat trick fuels Sabres’ eighth straight win in 6-3 rout over Sharks

The Associated Press 10 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Jack Quinn capped his three-goal outing with an empty-netter, and the Buffalo Sabres won their eighth straight by beating the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Jason Zucker and Beck Malenstyn broke the game open by scoring four minutes apart in the second period. Alex Tuch also scored, posting his 300th career point with Buffalo, in his 600th career NHL game, and captain Rasmus Dahlin and Ryan McLeod had three assists each.

Alex Lyon stopped 17 shots, improving to 15-2 in his past 17 starts.

Macklin Celebrini, Kiefer Sherwood and Alexander Wennberg scored for San Jose, which opened a five-game road trip a point behind eighth-place Seattle in the Western Conference standings. Yaroslav Askarov finished with 20 saves.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn, left, celebrates his goal with centre Ryan McLeod (71) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Ducks’ second-period outburst helps to sink Jets 4-1

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ducks’ second-period outburst helps to sink Jets 4-1

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

WINNIPEG - Ryan Poehling had a goal and an assist to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in front of 13,249 at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday.

Alex Killorn also registered a goal and an assist, with Tim Washe and Jackson LaCombe, into an empty net, rounding out the scoring for Anaheim. Lukas Dostal made 12 saves for the Ducks (36-25-3), who rebounded from a 4-0 loss to St. Louis on Sunday.

Morgan Barron scored the lone goal for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck had 30 saves for the Jets (26-27-10), who saw their three-game win streak and six-game point streak (4-0-2) halted.

After a scoreless first period in which Anaheim outshot Winnipeg 8-2, the Jets opened the scoring at 5:04 of the second when Barron notched his eighth of the season, assisted by Elias Salomonsson and Cole Perfetti. The Ducks quickly flipped the script, scoring three times over a span of 104 seconds.

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Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

Anaheim Ducks' Tim Washe (42) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) as Haydn Fleury (24) defends during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Tuesday March 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade

Alexis Lafreniere’s hat trick leads Rangers over Flames 4-0

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Alexis Lafreniere’s hat trick leads Rangers over Flames 4-0

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Forward Alexis Lafreniere got his second career hat trick and Jonathan Quick stopped 21 shots as the New York Rangers defeated the Calgary Flames 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Conor Sheary scored his second goal of the season.

Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault added two assists. Zibanejad's assist on Lafreniere’s first goal gave him 800 career points. Adam Fox’s assist on the goal gave him 400 career points, becoming the fourth Rangers defenceman to reach that milestone.

Lafreniere has eight goals and five assists in his last nine games.

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Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

Fans celebrate as New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) makes a hat trick after scoring his third goal, the team's fourth, against the Calgary Flames during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Kapanen scores 20th in 3-1 win, Canadiens hand Maple Leafs eighth straight loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Kapanen scores 20th in 3-1 win, Canadiens hand Maple Leafs eighth straight loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

MONTREAL - Oliver Kapanen scored his 20th of the season as the Montreal Canadiens held on for a 3-1 win and handed the Toronto Maple Leafs their eighth consecutive loss on Tuesday night.

Phillip Danault also scored, while Jake Evans added an empty-net goal for Montreal (35-18-10). Jakub Dobes made 17 saves.

William Nylander replied for struggling Toronto (27-27-11), which is on track to miss the playoffs after nine consecutive trips to the post-season.

Joseph Woll stopped 30 shots in a solid outing.

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Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

Montreal Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen (91) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

‘You’re always grateful’: Veteran goalie Reimer relishing role with Ottawa Senators

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘You’re always grateful’: Veteran goalie Reimer relishing role with Ottawa Senators

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

VANCOUVER - Nearly 20 years after getting drafted, James Reimer doesn't take playing in the NHL for granted.

Starts aren't as frequent for the 37-year-old goalie these days, but he's still backstopping his team to big wins.

His latest came Monday when the veteran netminder stopped all 16 shots he faced as his Ottawa Senators blanked the Canucks 2-0 in Vancouver.

It was Reimer's first shutout in a Sens' jersey, coming after he signed with Ottawa (32-22-9) as a free agent on Jan. 12, and the 32nd of his long career.

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Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026

Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson (40) fails to get his stick on the puck as Ottawa Senators goalie James Reimer (47) watches during the third period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Reimer’s 16-save shutout powers Ottawa Senators to 2-0 win over Vancouver Canucks

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Reimer’s 16-save shutout powers Ottawa Senators to 2-0 win over Vancouver Canucks

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

VANCOUVER - James Reimer stopped all 16 shots he faced, backstopping the Ottawa Senators to a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

The result marked the veteran goalie's first shutout of the season and the 32nd of his career, and came in his first start since Feb. 5.

Ridly Greig scored midway through the second period, collecting a pass from Shane Pinto at the bottom of the faceoff circle, moving the puck to his forehand and firing a shot in to give the Senators (32-22-9) the lead.

The Canucks (19-37-8) challenged the play for a missed stoppage, arguing Pinto made a hand pass before the goal, but the call was upheld after video review.

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Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

March 13, 2026

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