Comedian Derek Edwards at the News Cafe

Rifles win the battle, but lose post-season push

The Winnipeg Rifles huddled around a television in their hotel meeting room in Saskatoon on Saturday, hoping for an outcome that would lend them control of their fate come Sunday afternoon.

The junior football club had scratched and clawed to give itself a fighter’s chance at the playoffs entering the final week of the Canadian Junior Football League regular season, but needed some help to set up a win-and-in scenario.

That wouldn’t come to fruition. The Rifles held their collective breath in suspense for the better part of three hours as the Edmonton Huskies pushed the Edmonton Wildcats to the brink before ultimately falling 35-31, ending Winnipeg’s season.

“It was a very anxious feeling. I think everyone was on edge the whole time, throughout the dinner, throughout the day. But that’s just kind of normal travel days in general, in the (Prairie Football Conference), it’s just such a tight conference,” said Rifles fifth-year right tackle Jaden Sawatzky.

Brandon meat packer thriving on its own

BRANDON — Canada Packers has strengthened its business and laid the foundation for future growth during its first year as an independent company, its president says.

The Brandon-based pork producer, separated from Maple Leaf Foods in October 2025, established its own leadership, strategy, systems, culture and identity while continuing operations across its hog production farms and regional hog barns in southern and eastern Manitoba.

The company’s first year was focused on building a successful standalone business while continuing to serve customers, communities and shareholders, president Dennis Organ said.

“Market conditions over the past year have been more challenging than we anticipated when we became a separate entity,” he said in an email. “Despite that, we continued to execute against our priorities, including increasing processing volumes, maintaining disciplined operations and strengthening the business.”

Connor powers Jets past Red Wings for first win of season

DETROIT — Kyle Connor is on a mission.

Whether it’s the baby bump from the birth of his second child or his constant mission to elevate his game and find new ways to score, the Winnipeg Jets left-winger is flying out of the gate and seemingly notching goals at will.

After scoring in the season opener for an NHL record ninth consecutive time, Connor delivered a pair of goals and added an assist in his home state to lead the Jets to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena.

“The sheer amount of volume that he gets and how he gets himself in a good spot, he’s able to get that release off from anywhere,” said Jets forward Cole Perfetti. “His first one was just all skill. What a finish that was and then his second one, just reading the play so well. (Coming) off the pads like that, kind of in front of him and he put it in a small little window top shelf that no goalie could ever save. He doesn’t panic when he gets into those spots, obviously.

Comedian Derek Edwards at the News Cafe

Derek Edwards stops by the News Café to chat with Brad Oswald before his show at the Burton Cummings Theatre.