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Massey forward Joe Balabanski, who scored the game winning goal in the opening period, searches for a rebound in front of the Huskies net as netminder Nicolas McDuff makes a save during Game 1 of the Westman High School Hockey League playoff quarterfinals at the Sportsplex on Sunday night. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Gregory shuts door, Vikings draw first blood over Huskies

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Yesterday at 11:15 PM CST

The Vincent Massey Vikings are now in the driver’s seat.

The Vikings (1-0) took the edge in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals matchup against the Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies (0-1) following a 2-0 victory in the Westman High School Hockey League playoffs at the Sportsplex on Sunday evening.

Massey forwards Joe Balabanski and Cole Adams tallied unassisted goals in the first two frames, while starting netminder Hunter Gregory stopped all 30 shots to put the Huskies on the ropes heading back to Hamiota for Game 2 on Wednesday.

Vikings head coach Brent Blaine said the tight-checking affair was exactly what he had anticipated.

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WHL NOTEBOOK: Fisher’s wild ride lands in B.C.

By Perry Bergson 12 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Fisher’s wild ride lands in B.C.

By Perry Bergson 12 minute read Yesterday at 11:27 PM CST

Kaeson Fisher has ridden a rollercoaster the last 14 months that would be too dangerous for a Six Flags park.

The 18-year-old defenceman earned a spot with the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips last season, began to establish himself before suffering a terrible injury, was returned to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Winkler Flyers this season and then traded to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars and joined them.

It’s certainly been a ride with its fair share of ups and downs.

“I’m just super thankful for the opportunity they’ve given me to prove myself in the league again,” Fisher said. “In my phone call with (Cougars head coach and general manager) Mark (Lamb), he felt like I hadn’t really been able to showcase what I have yet, and saw a video of me in Winkler and what I can do when given the opportunity, so I’m really thankful for Mark and everyone who has given me a second chance here.”

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Yesterday at 11:27 PM CST

Prince George Cougars defenceman Kaeson Fisher (38) of Brandon makes his second Western Hockey League visit to his hometown for a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Feb. 24. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Prince George Cougars defenceman Kaeson Fisher (38) of Brandon makes his second Western Hockey League visit to his hometown for a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Feb. 24. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Henton leads Team West into Games

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Henton leads Team West into Games

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Yesterday at 10:13 PM CST

Natalie Henton’s second trip to the Manitoba Games started with an exciting surprise.

The gymnast from Glenella was selected as the flag bearer for Team West and got to lead the team out for the opening ceremony in Thompson on Sunday evening.

“At first, I was kind of surprised because I didn’t really know it was a thing. But then I was really excited when I really thought about it,” Henton said via phone interview.

“It was different because I’ve never been to that part of it. For the summer games a couple of years ago, I was at the closing ceremony, but I’ve never been to the opening ceremony before, so I thought it was kind of different. It was neat.”

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Yesterday at 10:13 PM CST

Glenella's Natalie Henton (in green) was selected as the flag bearer for Team West at the 2026 Manitoba Games in Thompson. (Submitted)
Glenella’s Natalie Henton (in green) was selected as the flag bearer for Team West at the 2026 Manitoba Games in Thompson. (Submitted)

U15 Wheat Kings girls eliminated

1 minute read Yesterday at 10:21 PM CST

The Brandon Wheat Kings have been eliminated from the U15 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League playoffs.

The Wheat Kings dropped a 1-0 decision to their rival Yellowhead Chiefs in Game 3 of their best-of-three quarterfinal to close out their do-or-die matchup at J&G Homes Arena on Sunday.

Brandon, which finished the season one seed higher than Yellowhead, drew first blood in Game 1 with a 5-3 victory at home, before being shut out at Shoal Lake Communiplex by a 2-0 score in Game 2 thanks to a 28-save performance from goaltender Pyper Rapley.

Rapley and the Chiefs then closed the door again in Game 3 and now move on to Round 2, where they will play the Central Plains Capitals, who earned a bye in the first round after finishing as the first seed in the regular season.

Sports Looking Back: March 3, 2026

1 minute read Yesterday at 10:25 PM CST

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 40 YEARS AGO — Kevin Malchuk scored three times to lead the Spectrum Sportsmen to a 5-3 playoff victory over the Melita Bisons in South West Hockey League action.

• 30 YEARS AGO — The Brandon Wheat Kings dumped the Saskatoon Blades 8-3 in WHL action at the Keystone Centre. Peter Schaefer, Kelly Smart and Bobby Brown scored two goals each while Cory Cyrenne and Mike Leclerc supplied the other Brandon goals.

• 20 YEARS AGO — Dauphin Kings forward Joey Moggach was named the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s player of the month. Moggach, who captured the regular-season scoring title with 117 points, had 10 goals and 30 points in 13 games in the month of February as the Kings finished atop the Sher-Wood Division.

Leafs remain positive despite four-game skid, losing ground in playoff race

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Leafs remain positive despite four-game skid, losing ground in playoff race

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 3 minute read 4:00 AM CST

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs put a positive spin on their fourth straight loss since the Olympics.

The Maple Leafs gained a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, but they will enter their final 21 regular-season games seven points out of a playoff position.

But the Boston Bruins, the team that holds down the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, have played two fewer games than the Maple Leafs.

“We’re just trying to stay positive,” Toronto forward Dakota Joshua said. “It’s a tough time for our group.”

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4:00 AM CST

Toronto Maple Leafs' Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during first period NHL hockey action against the Philadelphia Flyers, in Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Toronto Maple Leafs' Dakota Joshua (81) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during first period NHL hockey action against the Philadelphia Flyers, in Toronto, Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Floundering Vancouver Canucks need to believe in comebacks: coach

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Floundering Vancouver Canucks need to believe in comebacks: coach

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 1:35 AM CST

VANCOUVER - Adam Foote knows a deflated feeling has periodically crept into the Vancouver Canucks' locker room this season. 

It's something the head coach wants to banish — quickly. 

“That's what we’ve got to keep out. And the players are aware of it. Just believe they can come back," Foote said after the Dallas Stars thumped the Canucks 6-1 on Monday.

"When you get down two (goals) quick — it’s happened a lot, through a mistake, or a bad bounce, or being youthful — that’s where mentally, you’ve just got to grab on and stick to what we know.”

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1:35 AM CST

Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) allows a goal to Dallas Stars' Lian Bichsel, not seen, as Jamie Benn (14) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) allows a goal to Dallas Stars' Lian Bichsel, not seen, as Jamie Benn (14) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

U15 Wheat Kings sweep series

2 minute read Yesterday at 7:27 PM CST

The under-15 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings swept their best-of-five Winnipeg Hockey League U15 AAA quarterfinal series over Winnipeg Wild Green with three wins in the last four days.

In Game 1 on Thursday at J&G Homes Arena, Cash Didluck made 28 saves, Graycen Van Meijl scored twice and Riley Mangin, Daniel Flett-Neapew and Sully Taylor also sniped in a 5-0 victory.

Luca Auriti made 50 saves for Winnipeg.

The Wheat Kings widened their series lead on Saturday at J&G Homes Arena as Jett Wood posted a hat trick and Kale Nicol had two goals and three assists in an 8-3 victory.

More Sports

Oilers acquire defenceman Murphy from Blackhawks for second-round draft pick in 2028

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Oilers acquire defenceman Murphy from Blackhawks for second-round draft pick in 2028

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 5:20 PM CST

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers acquired defenceman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks will retain 50 per cent of Murphy’s US$4.4-million salary, the Oilers said in a news release. 

Murphy is in the final season of a four-year contract worth $17.6 million.

The six-foot-four, 212-pound blueliner has four goals and nine assists in 60 games this season. 

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Yesterday at 5:20 PM CST

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy (5) moves the puck during the first period of an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy (5) moves the puck during the first period of an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Former Raptor Jontay Porter, who was banned from NBA for gambling, to play in independent league

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Former Raptor Jontay Porter, who was banned from NBA for gambling, to play in independent league

Andrew Destin, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:37 PM CST

SEATTLE (AP) — Former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned for life from the NBA in 2024 after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose, is planning to play professional basketball again. 

Porter has signed with the Seattle Superhawks, a member of the independent United States Basketball League. The USBL was originally formed in 1985, ceased operations in 2008 and announced its return in November. 

Porter, who was denied a request to be allowed to resume his basketball career in Greece in 2024 while awaiting sentencing for his role in the betting scandal that got him banned from the league, will have the chance to play again when the Superhawks begin their season at home on Saturday. In a statement shared with The Associated Press, the USBL said it believes in second chances, and that the Superhawks are confident in Porter's sincerity. 

"While Jontay fully acknowledges the consequences of his actions, he has demonstrated genuine remorse and a strong commitment to personal growth,” the statement said. “The USBL and the Superhawks are united in offering him the chance to continue his basketball journey, both as an athlete and as an example of how redemption can take shape through accountability and hard work.”

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Yesterday at 4:37 PM CST

FILE - Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter (34) looks to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
FILE - Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter (34) looks to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

US half marathon women’s leaders guided off course in error. One asks officials to ‘make it right’

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

US half marathon women’s leaders guided off course in error. One asks officials to ‘make it right’

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 3:32 PM CST

ATLANTA (AP) — The runner who was leading the women's race at the U.S. half marathon championships until she was mistakenly led off the course by a guide vehicle is calling for USA Track & Field to make right an outcome that cost her a spot in the world road running championships this fall.

Jess McClain was ahead by a wide margin with about 1.5 miles to go Sunday when she and three other runners followed the guide vehicle on a wrong turn.

McClain said in an Instagram post that she followed a police escort, official lead vehicle and a media motorcycle off the course for about one kilometer.

“I had to come to a stop, make a tight & complete u-turn & run back onto course as a national championship title & a world team spot slipped away,” she wrote. “I’m going try my hardest to walk away from this weekend remembering the joy I felt in those moments where I thought I was on my way to becoming a National Champion & finally make Team USA outright.”

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Yesterday at 3:32 PM CST

FILE - United States' Susanna Sullivan, left, and United States' Jessica McClain race in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)
FILE - United States' Susanna Sullivan, left, and United States' Jessica McClain race in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

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