News briefs for Saturday, January 11, 2025

Hellebuyck blanks Avalanche for 6th shutout

8:40 PM

Saving Connor Hellebuyck for the second game of the back-to-back paid off for the Winnipeg Jets.

Hellebuyck made 22 saves to record his sixth shutout of the campaign to lead the Jets to a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night at Canada Life Centre.

Citing the importance of this Central Division showdown, Jets head coach Scott Arniel used Eric Comrie in Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings and used Hellebuyck against the Avalanche.

By winning the proverbial four-point game, the Jets extended their lead over the Avalanche in the Central Division standings to eight points through 44 games for each team.

Offensively, Nikolaj Ehlers scored a pair of goals and Mark Scheifele rounded out the scoring for the Jets, who improved to 29-12-3 for the season.

The Jets, who have collected six of a possible 10 points so far on this eight-game homestand, are back in action on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Crews battle fires in two vacant houses

10:04 AM

The  Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two fires early Saturday morning in separate vacant and boarded-up buildings. Vacant building fires are an ongoing problem in Winnipeg.

At 2:24 a.m. WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant house in the 200 block of Powers Street.

At the scene, crews saw flames coming from the house. Firefighters attacked the fire, declaring it under control at 2:46 a.m. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

WFPS crews previously responded to a fire at this location in March 2023.

At 6:26 a.m., WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a vacant house in the 400 block of Aberdeen Avenue.

At the scene, crews saw smoke coming from the house. Firefighters initially launched an offensive attack, but deteriorating conditions forced crews to switch to a defensive attack. Firefighters are using aerial ladders to extinguish the fire and are expected to be on scene throughout the morning. Residents should avoid the area.

One firefighter sustained an injury while working on scene. Paramedics assessed the firefighter and transported them to hospital in stable condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available.

WFPS crews previously responded to a fire at this location in November 2024.

Man charged after weapons found in car

9:45 AM

On Friday at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a report of an armed male in a parked vehicle at the intersection of Home Street at Notre Dame Avenue.

The registered owner, returning to his vehicle, had seen a broken window and a male asleep inside with an edged weapon and a firearm visible. The owner summoned the police.

Attending Tactical Support Team (TST) members with Central District General Patrol officers contained the vehicle, safely got the person out, and arrested him without incident. An imitation air pistol and a machete were seized.

A Winnipeg man has been charged with possession of a weapon, possession of firearm, and other related offences, as well as failure to comply with a probation order and failure to comply with condition of a release order. He was detained in custody.

River skating trail extended

9:24 AM

The newest section of the Nestaweya River Trail is now open. The ice skating trail now extends three kilometres along the Assiniboine River from The Forks Port Rink to Hugo Docks.

Begining next week, the river trail crew will move to the Red River and work on extending the trail toward the Norwood Bridge and beyond.

Winnipeggers are invited to donate toward the Nestaweya River Trail this year by “adopting” a metre through Trail Together campaign in support of The Forks Foundation. Over 750 metres have already been adopted. Those interested can make a donation of $50 and put their name on a metre of river trail at the official website.

The Forks only tests ice on the official trail. All other areas are not tested and people are asked to stick to the marked trail only. Current skating and ice conditions are posted online.