News briefs for Saturday, March 25, 2023

Einarson advances to semi-final at worlds

9:05 AM

Canada’s Kerri Einarson scored a pair in the extra end to defeat Japan 6-4 early Saturday morning in the first round of playoffs at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Sandviken, Sweden.

With the win, the Gimli-based team featuring Einarson, third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, and lead Briane Harris advance to the semi-final to play Norway at 10 a.m. CT.

The other semi-final features Sweden challenging undefeated Switzerland. The championship game will be played on Sunday at 8 a.m. CT.

Einarson loses in semi-final, will play for world bronze

1:05 PM

The Kerri Einarson team’s collective dream of winning a gold medal at the 2023 World Women’s Curling Championship has faded.

Team Canada suffered an 8-5 defeat to Marianne Roervik of Norway in a semi-final game today in Sweden.

The Gimli-based team, with Einarson skipping, Val Sweeting at third, Shannon Birchard at second and Briane Harris playing lead, will play for the bronze medal — for the second straight year — on Sunday against Anna Hasselborg of the host country. Three-time world champion Silvana Tirinzoni beat Hasselborg in today’s other semi-final.

The bronze-medal game is set for 3 a.m., while the championship matchup goes at 8 a.m.

A year ago, Einarson edged Hasselborg 8-7 in an extra end to win bronze at the ’22 event in Prince George, B.C.

Jets sign college free agent

2:40 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have added to their prospect pool by signing free agent forward Parker Ford to a two-year contract.

Ford, 22, just finished his senior season as captain of the the Providence College Friars in Hockey East. He had 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 37 games.

His two-year entry level deal begins in 2023-24. However, he will immediately join the Manitoba Moose on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this current season.

Ford is from Rhode Island and spent four years with the Friars, with 91 points (41 goals, 53 assists) over 131 games. The 5’9, 180 pounder also represented Team USA at the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Jets trail Kings 1-0 after first period

3:50 PM

LOS ANGELES — The Winnipeg Jets are facing an early deficit as their road trip continues against the Los Angeles Kings.

Victor Arvidsson scored just 82 seconds into the game to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Shots are 14-8 for the Kings through 20 minutes.

This is the second of a three-game road trip for the Jets. They opened on Thursday with a 3-2 victory in Anaheim, and will wrap up on Tuesday in San Jose.

Jets trail Kings 2-1 through two periods

4:46 PM

LOS ANGELES — The Winnipeg Jets are down 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings through 40 minutes.

Victor Arvidsson and Alex Iafallo gave the home team a two-goal cushion, but Pierre-Luc Dubois cut the deficit in half with a power play goal late in the second period.

The Jets also lost All-Star defenceman Josh Morrissey to injury after he was cross-checked in the face by Kings forward Blake Lizotte, who was given a five-minute match penalty.

Shots are 23-21 for the Kings.