Sports

NHL

Gene J. Puskar / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES With the addition of Stuart Skinner, the Winnipeg Jets have the makings of featuring the best one-two punch between the pipes in the NHL this season.

Central remains toughest division in league

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

With NHL training camps set to open in just over five weeks’ time, the Central Division still looks like one of the toughest places to earn a playoff spot in the league.

With three of the top seven teams in the NHL standings last season residing within it — including the Presidents’ Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche (121 points) — it’s clear that the most likely path back to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Winnipeg Jets is by earning one of the two wild-card berths available in the Western Conference.

And since a couple of teams in the Pacific Division are on the rise, including the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks (who missed the playoffs by four points in Macklin Celebrini’s second NHL season), it’s likely going to take north of 90 or 92 points to punch a post-season ticket.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the moves that were made in the Central, realizing there are a few questions left unanswered for the Jets and the seven other clubs:

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Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes’ Luke Boyd (37) throws against the Chicago Dogs in Winnipeg Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Goldeyes pitcher Boyd making most out of his visit to Winnipeg

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes pitcher Boyd making most out of his visit to Winnipeg

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Not that long ago it seemed very unlikely that Luke Boyd was going to turn into one of the American Association’s best pitchers.

He began the 2025 campaign with the Cleburne Railroaders but was released two weeks into the year after getting torched for nine runs in less than seven innings of work.

The Baylor University product was unsure if he would have a future in pro ball after that, but then, his old pal Logan Watkins — the manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes — threw him a lifeline.

Watkins managed Boyd in Cleburne in 2023 before taking the job in Winnipeg.

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Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Basketball

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Sea Bears will be without star guard Teddy Allen (right) Thursday as the club takes on the Saskatoon Mamba at Canada Life Centre in the CEBL Western Conference semis. Allen was assaulted by nightclub security Sunday night.

Sea Bears say Allen recovering from nightclub assault

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Sea Bears say Allen recovering from nightclub assault

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

The Winnipeg Sea Bears are preparing for the Canadian Elite Basketball League playoffs without the services of its Most Valuable Player.

The club announced on Tuesday that star guard Teddy Allen has been ruled out for Thursday’s Western Conference semifinal against the Saskatoon Mamba at Canada Life Centre (7:30 p.m.) as he recovers from “significant health injuries” suffered after being assaulted by security staff at a downtown nightclub on Sunday.

“We continue to co-operate with the Winnipeg Police Service on its investigation and have referred them individuals and information based on what has been provided to us from those on the scene,” a statement from the club read.

“What we’ve seen and heard to date leads us to believe that Teddy was the victim of an assault at the hands of security at a downtown nightclub.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Horse Racing

Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo Manitoba Derby winner Western Warrior holds the lead on the inside Monday night at Assiniboia Downs. Forty Twenty is the first horse to be euthanized at the racetrack this year after sustaining an injury to his front leg during the Derby race.

‘Catastrophic’ ending to eventful Manitoba Derby

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

‘Catastrophic’ ending to eventful Manitoba Derby

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

It had everything you could have wanted for the signature racing event of the season, including plenty of drama and excitement in front of a packed crowd at Assiniboia Downs.

Unfortunately, Monday night’s Manitoba Derby also served up another painful reminder of the potential perils of “The Sport of Kings” and what can occasionally happen when these magnificent animals are pushed to their limits.

Forty Twenty, a three-year-old bay colt who was one of the morning line favourites, looked to be in great shape as he approached the final turn and was near the lead in the nine-horse race.

But disaster struck as he approached the final turn and suddenly pulled up as the rest of the packed passed him.

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Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Golf

PGA Tour Americas Photos Étienne Papineau (above) sits fifth on the points list for the Korn Ferry Tour going into the Manitoba Open. The Quebecer is fresh off a dramatic playoff victory at the Osprey Valley Open in late July. Joey Savoie (below) is seventh thanks to capturing the KIA Open de Ecuador in May.

Countdown to tee off at the Manitoba Open begins

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Countdown to tee off at the Manitoba Open begins

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

It’s not quite at Stanley Cup drought territory — that sits at 33 years and counting — but it’s been a long wait for a Canadian golfer to capture the prestigious Manitoba Open.

Seventeen years, to be exact, since Graham DeLaet accomplished the feat.

Could that be about to end? We’ll find out when one of North America’s longest-running golf tournaments tees off at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club from Aug. 20-23.

The odds may be better than they’ve been in ages. Two Canadians have won on the PGA Tour Americas this season, and both will arrive in Winnipeg looking to add another title while strengthening their bid for a career-changing advancement to the Korn Ferry Tour.

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2:01 AM CDT

Soccer

Calgary Wild routs Mont-Royal Outremont 4-0 in quarters of W Canadian Championship.

The Canadian Press 1 minute read 1:16 AM CDT

CALGARY - Mya Jones scored twice as Calgary Wild FC routed CS Mont-Royal Outremont 4-0 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the W Canadian Championship.

Taylor Otto and Serita Thurton added goals for Calgary of the Northern Super League.

CS Mont-Royal Outremont competes in Ligue1 Québec.

The next quarterfinal is on Aug. 12 between the NSL's Montréal Roses FC and Simcoe County Rovers FC of the Ontario Premier League.

Baseball

Detroit Tigers' Gleyber Torres is hit by a pitch in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Mariners reliever and manager ejected after 4th Tigers batter hit by pitch

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mariners reliever and manager ejected after 4th Tigers batter hit by pitch

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:57 PM CDT

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners reliever Gabe Speier was ejected after hitting Detroit's Gleyber Torres with a pitch in the eighth inning Wednesday night, making Torres the fourth Tigers batter plunked in the game.

The benches and bullpens cleared after Torres was hit, though there appeared to be no punches thrown while the teams gathered around home plate. Mariners manager Dan Wilson was also ejected in the aftermath.

Speier had relieved starter Bryan Woo, who hit three batters during his seven scoreless innings in the Mariners' 4-2 win.

Speier retired the first two batters he faced before pegging Torres on the upper left leg with a 96.3 mph fastball. That came on the second pitch of the at-bat, after Torres had gotten out of the way of a 95.9 mph pitch that was also way inside.

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Yesterday at 11:57 PM CDT

Sports Editor's Picks

Wanderers centennial transcends the pitch

FREE PRESS FILES The Wanderers filled out the Winnipeg Football Club’s roster that won the first Grey Cup for the city in 1935 and was the first team from Western Canada to win the Cup.

Fanning captures second straight senior’s title, while Martens’ provincial victory 27 years in the taking

BOB POOLE / GOLF MANITOBA Manitoba senior men’s champion Todd Fanning will tee it up in the nationals at his home course in early September.

Living the strongman life means special training for special strength

SUPPLIED Islendingadagurinn is partnering with Magnús Ver Magnússon, four-time World’s Strongest Man and legendary Icelander, to host the MVM Classic Gimli, a world-class strongman event showcasing traditional Icelandic feats of strength.

Carillon baseball team takes third straight MJBL title

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK / THE CARILLON Carillon Sultans right fielder Joe Plett is mobbed by teammates after driving home the championship-winning run in the MJBL final against the Elmwood Giants in Steinbach on Tuesday night.

Men’s title turning into two-horse race between clubmates Fanning and Doyle

THOMAS FRIESEN / BRANDON SUN FILES Defending champ Todd Fanning is tied for first heading into the final round of the men’s senior’s championship on Wednesday.

Winnipegger Bairos-Novak medals at wheel gymnastics worlds

ACHILLE ABBOUD PHOTO Winnipegger Steven Bairos-Novak took bronze in the overall men’s cyr wheel competition and silver for the men’s cyr wheel artistic division earlier this month at the IRV World Championships in Gottingen, Germany.

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Baseball

Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams follows through hitting a two-run triple against Philadelphia Phillies' Caleb Kilian during the 11th inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Abrams hits tiebreaking triple in 11th and pitcher Mikolas drives in run as Nats beat Phils 10-4

Aaron Bracy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Abrams hits tiebreaking triple in 11th and pitcher Mikolas drives in run as Nats beat Phils 10-4

Aaron Bracy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:38 PM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — CJ Abrams hit a tiebreaking, two-run triple in Washington's six-run 11th inning, pitcher Miles Mikolas drove in a run in his first at-bat since 2021, and the Nationals snapped their seven-game skid with a 10-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

Luis Arraez went deep in his second game for the Phillies, whose four-game winning streak ended. Brady House homered for Washington.

After Jacob Young walked to put runners on first and second with no outs, Abrams drove an 0-1 knuckle curve from Caleb Kilian (3-7) to deep center field. Derek Hill hit his head against the outfield railing while trying to make a leaping catch at the wall, and the ball caromed toward right field. Hill was down for several minutes before gingerly walking off the field with the help of Phillies trainers. Interim manager Don Mattingly said Hill had a shoulder contusion, but trainers were “checking everything.”

After Abrams' triple, Mikolas, Thursday's scheduled starter, entered as a pinch-hitter. He got a bunt down and Abrams beat the throw to the plate with a headfirst slide to make it 7-4. Excluding Shohei Ohtani, Mikolas became the third major league pitcher since the universal designated hitter was adopted in 2022 to drive in a run.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:38 PM CDT

Goldeyes Report

Goldeyes match record with 11th consecutive win

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:05 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Goldeyes needed three innings to cement a victory over the Chicago Dogs on Wednesday night.

The Fish, who ended the evening with 17 hits, drove in 10 runs in the third frame in a 14-5 beatdown over the visitors from the Windy City.

“We really capitalised this time,” said centre fielder Noah Marcelo “We faced a couple of pitchers (in the third), and I was in the locker room and I was almost up again — I was changing my pants because I ripped my pants. But we’re just rolling right now.

“This was a special game, for sure.”

Basketball

Rhyne Howard scores 23, Allisha Gray adds 20 and the Dream beat the Mercury

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:14 PM CDT

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Rhyne Howard had 23 points and eight assists, Allisha Gray added 20 points and the Atlanta Dream beat the Phoenix Mercury 96-82 on Wednesday night.

Howard made five of Atlanta’s 14 3-pointers, while Phoenix was just 7 for 24 (29%).

Angel Reese had 14 points and 10 rebounds for her 21st double-double of the season for Atlanta (19-11), which has won six of its last seven games. Jordin Canada set Atlanta’s single-season record for assists with 227, passing Layshia Clarendon’s mark in 2017.

Kelsey Plum scored 19 points in her first start for Phoenix (12-20), which never led. Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points, and DeWanna Bonner had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

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