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BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Manitoba Moose centre Brayden Yager (left) and Milwaukee Admirals forward Joey Willis battle in the faceoff circle during their best-of-three AHL play-in series on Wednesday.

Moose forced into must-win mode

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:58 PM CDT

In the blink of an eye, the Manitoba Moose find themselves on the verge of playoff elimination.

It wasn’t for a shortage of scoring chances, but rather a lack of finish as the Moose managed 43 shots on goal against Matt Murray but lost 4-1 to the Milwaukee Admirals before a crowd of 3,169 on Wednesday at Canada Life Centre.

“It kind of speaks for itself, but I think the message is belief,” said Moose defenceman Isaak Phillips, who was a physical presence in the contest. “We’re right there in that game. We ran into a little bit of a hot goalie there at the end. We could have had two or three go in the back of the net, but that happens sometimes.”

Falling behind 2-0 and seeing the deficit grow to three in the second period created a hole that was too difficult to dig out of, even if the Moose carried a good chunk of the play.

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Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Spring temperatures welcome as most golf courses set to fully open by Saturday

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

Despite a few remaining snow mounds and some standing water in areas, golf courses in and around Winnipeg have started teeing it up for the season, with many more expected to follow in the coming days.

One of the first to open was Shooters Family Golf Centre, which has become notorious for its quick jump into the outdoor season.

Owner Guido Cerasani opened the back nine for the first time on April 15, but was forced to close it again owing to Mother Nature taking another swing at low temperatures and snowfall. All 18 holes have been available for walking players since Monday, and Cerasani said enthusiasts have taken full advantage.

“Big time. (Tuesday) and (Monday), it was like full-bore summertime,” said Cerasani, who opened his driving range on March 27, then again on April 2.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

The city announced Wednesday morning that Windsor Park Golf Course, along with the three other city-owned links (Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive and Canoe Club) will open to the public on Saturday, April 24, for the season.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The city announced Wednesday morning that Windsor Park Golf Course, along with the three other city-owned links (Kildonan Park, Crescent Drive and Canoe Club) will open to the public on Saturday, April 24, for the season.

Salomonsson hopes to be in Manitoba Moose lineup for Game 2 against Milwaukee

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Salomonsson hopes to be in Manitoba Moose lineup for Game 2 against Milwaukee

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Yesterday at 1:35 PM CDT

Elias Salomonsson isn’t holding a grudge, he’s viewing his time in concussion protocol — and the reason behind it — as a valuable learning opportunity.

As the Winnipeg Jets top defence prospect spoke to the media for the first time since being on the receiving end of a reverse hit that knocked him out of the final seven games of the NHL season, Salomonsson made it clear he had no issue whatsoever with the check Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson delivered in the second period of a game on April 2.

“It was a good hit. I have nothing bad to say about the hit,” said Salomonsson, who was loaned to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on Wednesday but wasn’t in the lineup for Game 1 of the Calder Cup playoffs against the Milwaukee Admirals. “I just wasn’t ready for it, so it’s a learning lesson for me, for sure.”

This was the first concussion Salomonsson has dealt with during his hockey career and working his way through the symptoms brought some challenges, though he passed his baseline test on Tuesday and was removed from concussion protocol.

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Yesterday at 1:35 PM CDT

KYUSUNG GONG / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Elias Salomonsson has cleared concussion protocol and plans to be a full participant at Thursday’s Moose practice, paving the way for a Game 2 Calder Cup playoffs debut on Friday.
KYUSUNG GONG / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Elias Salomonsson has cleared concussion protocol and plans to be a full participant at Thursday’s Moose practice, paving the way for a Game 2 Calder Cup playoffs debut on Friday.
SUPPLIED Decorated footy veterans Desiree Scott (right) and Rob Gale hoped to get Winnipeg a Northern Super League club for the inaugural season. The dynamic duo are on a mission for the Keystone province to be awarded an expansion team in 2027.

‘Why not Winnipeg’

Decorated footy veterans Scott, Gale spearheading push for NSL club

Grace Anne Paizen 7 minute read 4:56 PM CDT

Harris pivots to seek mixed results

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Harris pivots to seek mixed results

Taylor Allen 5 minute read 9:28 PM CDT

Briane Harris was hopeful she’d land with a contender on the women’s circuit this off-season.

The four-time Scotties champion — who most recently played third for Kate Cameron — explored her options, but the ideal situation didn’t present itself.

Thankfully for the 34-year-old, she had an intriguing offer on the table from Kyle Doering to make the switch to mixed doubles. The pair of Manitobans officially announced last weekend they’re joining forces.

“I didn’t think I had any good (four-person) fits in the works, so I was like ‘You know what, let’s go with Kyle,’” Harris told the Free Press on Thursday.

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9:28 PM CDT

Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press files

Briane Harris (left) competes with the Kerri Einarson team at the 2023 Scotties. She’ll play mixed doubles with Kyle Doering this season.
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press files Briane Harris (left) competes with the Kerri Einarson team at the 2023 Scotties. She’ll play mixed doubles with Kyle Doering this season.

4 tickets to World Cup final are listed on FIFA’s resale site for more than $2 million

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

4 tickets to World Cup final are listed on FIFA’s resale site for more than $2 million

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 3:49 PM CDT

FIFA's resale site has four tickets on sale for the World Cup final for just under $2.3 million each.

The $2,299,998.85 seats for the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, are located behind a goal in the lower deck in block 124, row 45, seats 33-36.

FIFA does not control the asking prices on its Resale/Exchange Marketplace but takes a 15% purchase fee from the buyer of each ticket and a 15% resale fee from the seller.

An aisle seat 33 in block 146, row 32 of the lower deck listed as easy access standard was listed at $207,000, while a category two seat in the last row of the uppermost third deck was listed at $138,000 for block 310, row 26, seat 23. A few feet away, seat 21 has an asking price of $23,000.

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Updated: 3:49 PM CDT

This image from the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace website, Thursday, April 23, 2026, shows the resale asking price for a ticket to the World Cup final soccer match on Sunday, July 26, 2026. (FIFA via AP)
This image from the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace website, Thursday, April 23, 2026, shows the resale asking price for a ticket to the World Cup final soccer match on Sunday, July 26, 2026. (FIFA via AP)

Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid labouring to start NHL playoffs

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid labouring to start NHL playoffs

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 11:46 AM CDT

EDMONTON - Oilers captain Connor McDavid continued to fight the puck, and Edmonton's vaunted power play had yet to strike to start the NHL playoffs.

McDavid, the league's regular-season points leader, was held off the scoresheet a second straight game Wednesday at Rogers Place. He had four shots and went minus-2 in a 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

He weathered an injury scare early in the second period to continue playing, but his giveaway later that period led to Anaheim's short-handed goal and a 4-2 lead.

Edmonton takes a 1-1 split to Anaheim after a 4-3 win in Game 1 in the best-of-seven series. 

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Updated: 11:46 AM CDT

Anaheim Ducks' Mason McTavish (23) defends against Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during second period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Monday, April 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan
Anaheim Ducks' Mason McTavish (23) defends against Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during second period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Monday, April 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Sports Editor's Picks

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Kornberger, Asagwara, Posthumus get call to the Basketball Hall

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Sea Bears take to the hard court against the visiting Vancouver Bandits in Canadian Elite Basketball League action at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 27, 2023. Winnipeg defeated Vancouver 90-85. Pictured: Forward Chad Posthumus makes his debut as a Winnipeg Sea Bears player.

Mike McIntyre:

Jets GM appears unconcerned about job security despite club’s nosedive of a season

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had little explanation Monday over the club’s season that can fairly be described as somewhere between disappointing and disastrous.

Ken Wiebe:

Jets’ Lowry, Perfetti determined for team to come back stronger next season

ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry (right) says it’s possible he came back from off-season hip surgery a bit too soon.

Mike McIntyre:

Hellebuyck fires shots at club following Jets season exit

Tony Gutierrez / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made it clear Friday his patience is starting to run thin with the club building a Stanley Cup winning team.

Ken Wiebe:

Hard personnel decisions aplenty for Winnipeg Jets after missing playoffs

David Zalubowski / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti had a tale of two seasons, some of which was due to the high ankle sprain he suffered late in training camp.

Taylor Allen:

Team Kurz caps off undefeated week by capturing provincial mixed curling crown

Curl Manitoba Photo Team Kurz got the band back together last week and won the 2026 Manitoba Mixed Curling Provincial Championship on Sunday. From left: skip Colin Kurz, third Meghan Walter, second Brendan Bilawka and lead Sara Krym.

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Expansion Goldeneyes grateful for PWHL’s first season in Vancouver

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Expansion Goldeneyes grateful for PWHL’s first season in Vancouver

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 9:08 PM CDT

VANCOUVER - For Hannah Miller, playing professional hockey in her hometown of Vancouver has been a dream come true.

Just over 12 months ago, it was only a dream.

Miller was playing for the Toronto Sceptres last April when the Professional Women's Hockey League announced its first expansion team, the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

“This is where I grew up. This is where I fell in love with the game. I started playing hockey here, and I've been overseas, I've been away for a long time. So even at that time, when expansion was announced last year, I didn't know what my situation was going to be," Miller said Thursday.

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Updated: 9:08 PM CDT

The Vancouver Goldeneyes celebrate defeating the Seattle Torrent as Emily Brown (11) skates to the bench during overtime PWHL hockey action in Vancouver, on Friday, November 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
The Vancouver Goldeneyes celebrate defeating the Seattle Torrent as Emily Brown (11) skates to the bench during overtime PWHL hockey action in Vancouver, on Friday, November 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Swanson’s hit in 10th gives Cubs 8-7 victory that extends both win streak and Phillies’ skid to 9

Matt Carlson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Swanson’s hit in 10th gives Cubs 8-7 victory that extends both win streak and Phillies’ skid to 9

Matt Carlson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 5:42 PM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Dansby Swanson had his first game-ending hit in five years, and the Chicago Cubs rebounded from a pair of blown leads to beat Philadelphia 8-7 in 10 innings Thursday for their ninth straight win and the Phillies’ ninth loss in a row.

Chicago led 6-2 before Philadelphia closed with three runs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa had a tying single off Jacob Webb in the eighth, Seiya Suzuki put Chicago back ahead 7-6 when he homered against Brad Keller in the bottom half and pinch-hitter Adolis García retied the score when he went deep off Caleb Thielbar in the ninth.

Swanson’s opposite-field, one-out single to right-center off Tanner Banks (0-2) drove in automatic runner Ian Happ from third for Swanson’s first walk-off hit with the Cubs, giving the win to Javier Assad (2-1).

Chicago had a season-high 18 hits and is on its longest winning streak since taking 11 in a row from July 31 through Aug. 12 in 2016 – the year the Cubs won their first World Series since 1908.

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Updated: 5:42 PM CDT

Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson, center, celebrates with Carson Kelly, right, and Matt Shaw after driving in the game-winning run in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson, center, celebrates with Carson Kelly, right, and Matt Shaw after driving in the game-winning run in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

‘Time flies when you’re having fun’: Linebacker Bighill closes chapter on CFL career in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

‘Time flies when you’re having fun’: Linebacker Bighill closes chapter on CFL career in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Adam Bighill opened his retirement press conference by speaking for nearly 15 minutes straight on his unlikely path to becoming one of the CFL’s all-time greats.

“I grew in small town Washington. I grew up with a cleft lip palate. I grew up with a chip on my shoulder. I grew up in a great family with great parents,” the 37-year-old began.

“And I grew up with a dream. At seven years old, I told my parents I wanted to play professional football. Back then, my favourite player was Jerry Rice, and I was just all in on what it was going to take to be a professional athlete.”

It was an uphill battle from the start, but Bighill always remained undeterred. He was a star running back and linebacker at Montesano High School, but it didn’t seem to matter — scouts and coaches had labelled him as too small and too slow to make it at the next level.

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Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Decorated linebacker Adam Bighill was emotional Tuesday at Princess Auto Stadium as he officially hung up his cleats on his CFL career as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Decorated linebacker Adam Bighill was emotional Tuesday at Princess Auto Stadium as he officially hung up his cleats on his CFL career as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber.

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