News briefs for Thursday, March 6, 2025

Jets beat Flyers 4-1 to snap winless skid

8:43 PM

PHILADELPHIA – The Winnipeg Jets got back in the win column Thursday night as they downed the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 at Wells Fargo Center.

Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists, Kyle Connor scored once and set up another while linemate Gabe Vilardi had three helpers. Nikolaj Ehlers and captain Adam Lowry scored the other goals, while goalie Eric Comrie made 21 saves.

Winnipeg had gone winless in their last three games (0-2-1). They are now 43-16-4 on the season and remain on top of the NHL standings.

The Jets head to New Jersey to face the Devils on Friday night. The NHL trade deadline occurs a few hours before puck drop, with plenty of eyes now on general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to see what kind of moves he might make to bolster his group.

Dozens laid off from Métis, Michif CFS agencies

2:30 PM

Sixty-five workers at Métis and Michif child and family services agencies were given layoff notices Thursday, the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union says.

The MGEU said in a news release that 44 of the workers are at Métis Child and Family Services and 21 are at Michif Child and Family Services. The union represents 220 members at Métis CFS and 110 at Michif CFS.

Workers at both agencies have been without contracts since Jan. 31, 2023.

“These reckless layoffs threaten the safety and protection of at-risk children and youth,” MGEU president Kyle Ross said in a news release.

“We are aware that these agencies are receiving millions of dollars in increased funding for the coming year. So, there is simply no justification for these reckless cuts.

The layoff notices are clearly “an aggressive bargaining tactic” designed to intimidate front-line workers into accepting wages lower than other CFS workers across Manitoba, the release said.

Jets make third-string goalie swap

1:52 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have made a move which they hope will bolster their goaltending depth, acquiring Winnipegger Chris Driedger from the Florida Panthers for Kaapo Kahkonen on Thursday afternoon.

Driedger, 30, has spent the bulk of this season with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, posting a record of 10-6-4 with a 2.97 goals-against average and .878 save percentage in 20 games.

He’s appeared in 67 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Seattle Kraken and Panthers.

Kahkonen was signed by the Jets as a free agent and while he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche in October and appeared in one game with them before he was claimed back off waivers by the Jets.

Kahkonen appeared in 22 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, going 6-14 with a 3.29 goals-against average and .885 save percentage.

Driedger will report to the Moose and share the crease with Dom DiVincentiis, who is having a strong season as a rookie pro.

Earlier in the day, the Jets signed 2023 fifth-round pick Jacob Julien to an entry-level contract that kicks in next season.

Julien, 20, has 10 goals and 45 points in 58 games with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

Three Days Grace, Volbeat headline arena show

12:02 PM

Canadian hard-rock band Three Days Grace and Danish metal trio Volbeat are teaming up for a co-headlining tour this summer that brings them to Canada Life Centre June 13.

Volbeat, which is releasing its ninth album, God of Angels Trust on June 6, will headline in Winnipeg, while Three Days Grace, which recently welcomed c0-founder Adam Gontier back into the fold, will play second. Florida metalcore quintet Wage War opens at all dates.

Tickets go on sale March 14 at 10 a.m. at livenation.com; prices are TBA.

Man hit by train, killed in Headingley

10:33 AM

A man was killed when he was hit by a train near a rail crossing off of Wilkes Avenue in the Rural Municipality of Headingley on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old Winnipeg man was hit by an eastbound train near the Hall Road crossing at about 8:15 p.m., RCMP said in a news release Thursday.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Man arrested for Pukatawagan home invasion

9:36 AM

A man wanted for an armed home invasion in Pukatawagan late Sunday night has been arrested, RCMP said Thursday morning.

Mounties were told a man had threatened a woman with a machete before fleeing. Young children were also in the home at the time. 

Triston Bear, 27, was also wanted for a separate incident. Police asked for the public’s help in finding him Tuesday.