Sports

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Jets can learn from Ice and Pistons

James Loewen 4 minute read 1:47 PM CDT

So that’s it for local hockey. The Steinbach Pistons were stopped in their quest for the Centennial Cup, the Winnipeg Ice lost in the WHL finals and the Jets…well, we all know what happened to them and the disgusting way their season came to an inglorious end.

In the world of sports it typically goes like this: Amateur athletes learn from the pros. They model their behaviour, their work ethic, their tactics and, generally speaking, they try to play like the pros.

Given the disastrous way the Jets season ended it is beyond clear that things have been flipped on their head. The Jets have much to learn from the Pistons and Ice.

It seems counter-intuitive but after the Pistons and Ice lost in their respective bids to be national champions and the Jets were unceremoniously booted from their playoffs, it is the multi-millionaire Jets that need to learn from the Pistons and Ice, not the other way around.

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Eastman, Interlake combine to field U19 softball team

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Eastman, Interlake combine to field U19 softball team

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:42 PM CDT

The colours on the jersey may be the same, the home games are still in Friedensfeld, but the region’s U19 Manitoba Premier Softball League team has a distinctly different feel to it.

Eastman and Interlake players have combined forces to field a team in the four-team league, which gives athletes a chance to continue to play high-level ball after aging out of the U17 ranks.

Double the teams play at the U17 level, including the Interlake Phillies and Eastman Wildcats. For many players, the U19 level is the last local stop on their softball journey, as they are recruited by post-secondary schools to play softball.

The Eastman program sent their first athlete south last year, as Dominique ‘Domo’ Tétrault suited up for Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis. Tétrault is playing on the Eastman Phillies team this year.

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Yesterday at 1:42 PM CDT

Chelsea Snively looks to get a ground ball to first base after fielding it during Manitoba Premier Softball League action May 20. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Ste Anne hosting ball hockey arena fundraiser

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Ste Anne hosting ball hockey arena fundraiser

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Thursday, May. 25, 2023

The battle to save Ste Anne’s hockey arena is continuing on, despite losing out on Kraft Hockeyville.

The community is planning a large rally, centred around the Neal Stoez Memorial Ball Hockey Tournament May 27. Festivities include a pancake breakfast (8 a.m. - 11 a.m.) at the arena canteen, a kids’ party from 2 - 6 p.m. and a live concert and social featuring local recording artist Jason Kirkness and DJ Brenton that is set to run late into the night.

There will also be a beer gardens and silent auction throughout the day.

It was a quick turnaround for organizers, who were behind the community’s Hockeyville bid. The results were only announced April 1. After taking a couple weeks off, they were right back to work, trying to capitalize on increased awareness in the community.

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Thursday, May. 25, 2023

Neal Stoetz was a mainstay in the hockey community of Ste Anne before his death last year. The community is hosting a ball hockey tournament named in his honour to help raise money for their aging arena. (Terry Frey Carillon Archives)

Hanover Kickers return to the pitch after 3 years

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Hanover Kickers return to the pitch after 3 years

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 23, 2023

It’s been a long time since Steinbach’s top soccer team last took to the field at the Steinbach Soccer Park. That long wait was over May 14, as the Hanover Kickers lost a 4-2 decision to Goals City FC.

Although the name and jerseys are the same, the team which earned promotion to Manitoba’s top level of men’s soccer in 2020 is very different than the one that took the pitch in 2023.

These Kickers, back playing in division 1 instead of the premier division, were put together based on new players ready to continue their soccer exploits.

“In the past it had been older players, and we wanted to try and put a group together that had young players,” coach Norm Anderson said.

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Tuesday, May. 23, 2023

Ulrick Disna battles with a Goals City FC player during Manitoba Major Soccer League action at Steinbach Soccer Park May 14. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

WHL teams take 3 Eastman players in annual draft

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

WHL teams take 3 Eastman players in annual draft

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Monday, May. 22, 2023

While no current Eastman Selects were picked in the 2023 Western Hockey League prospects draft, three of the region’s players were taken May 11.

Brek Liske, a defensemen from Beausejour, had his name called in the first round by the Everett Silvertips. He spent last season playing for the Northern Alberta Xtreme’s U15 prep team, picking up 34 points in 26 regular season games. That strong offensive presence continued in the playoffs, as the Xtreme won their league, with Liske picking up 10 assists and one goal in five games.

During the 2021/2022 season, Liske scored 28 points in 31 regular season games for the U15 Eastman Selects AAA team.

Ste Anne’s Zach Lansard was the next Eastman player taken. The forward was taken in the fourth round by the Regina Pats. He spent the 2022/2023 season with the Rink Hockey Academy in Winnipeg, scoring 17 goals and 24 assists in 30 games for their U15 team. He even suited up for the U16 team, appearing in a regular season game and two post-season games, notching four assists.

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Monday, May. 22, 2023

Zach Lansard was drafted by the Regina Pats in the 2023 WHL draft. The Ste Anne product spent time playing for the Rink Hockey Academy this season, scoring over a point-per-game. (RINK Hockey Academy Dylan Asmundson)

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1980: All work, no play for this volunteer

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1980: All work, no play for this volunteer

Wes Keating 4 minute read Sunday, May. 21, 2023

After almost getting stuck in one of the tires, making it to the third ring of the monkey swing, and having the cable ride bog down halfway to the other set of poles, somebody kindly pointed out that this stuff was designed for kids.

What a waste of a weekend! Here I spent Friday evening rolling truck tires through the mud across about two acres of lawn to get them to where they should have been dropped in the first place.

Then Saturday, I had to get up at some ridiculous hour (9 a.m.) to go and bolt these tires together to make some kind of playground structure. Then when it’s all finished, they won’t even let me play on them.

The reason I decided to help out at the Town Park rather than the community playground across the street from my place was that I was sure to get a shot at this new equipment before the kids discovered it. No such luck.

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Sunday, May. 21, 2023

Two dozen members of the Steinbach Knights of Columbus put together the playground structures at largest of six community tire parks at the new Steinbach park. In all, over 100 volunteers worked two days to complete the $20,000 project, funded by the provincial government and the Town of Steinbach.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Why banning Gretzky is a good thing

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Why banning Gretzky is a good thing

James Loewen 4 minute read Saturday, May. 20, 2023

If you’ve watched any hockey on television this season, you will have noticed the avalanche of ads for betting sites. Most of the time it feels like two out of every three ads are for sites coaxing people to bet on hockey games and other sporting events.

Soccer stars are featured in the ads, track stars, hockey stars and even some curlers. During the NHL playoffs we’ve been inundated with gambling propaganda with ads that feature Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

Leaving aside the question of why Gretzky would tarnish his legacy by shilling for gambling outfits when there is lots of reliable research that suggests gambling is tax on the poor (who are desperately looking for a quick fix to a better life), I was pleasantly shocked to see that the province of Ontario has proposed a bill banning all gambling sites from using celebrities and high-profile athletes in any form of advertising.

The Ontario government has decided that children are vulnerable to gambling ads featuring celebrity athletes and is moving to have those ads banned to protect children.

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Saturday, May. 20, 2023

If you’ve watched any hockey on television this season, you will have noticed the avalanche of ads for betting sites. Most of the time it feels like two out of every three ads are for sites coaxing people to bet on hockey games and other sporting events.

Soccer stars are featured in the ads, track stars, hockey stars and even some curlers. During the NHL playoffs we’ve been inundated with gambling propaganda with ads that feature Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

Leaving aside the question of why Gretzky would tarnish his legacy by shilling for gambling outfits when there is lots of reliable research that suggests gambling is tax on the poor (who are desperately looking for a quick fix to a better life), I was pleasantly shocked to see that the province of Ontario has proposed a bill banning all gambling sites from using celebrities and high-profile athletes in any form of advertising.

The Ontario government has decided that children are vulnerable to gambling ads featuring celebrity athletes and is moving to have those ads banned to protect children.

Sultans drop both games of opening double-header in MJBL

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Preview

Sultans drop both games of opening double-header in MJBL

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Friday, May. 19, 2023

It may feel like summer in Steinbach, but the Carillon Sultans are still as cold as ice.

The Manitoba Junior Baseball League (MJBL) team could only generate four runs across their double-header with the St James A’s on May 14, losing 9-2 and 12-2 at A.D. Penner Park.

The games on Mother’s Day marked the start of the MJBL schedule, with the Sultans set to finish their regular season July 9. They’ll be back in action in Steinbach May 24 as they host Winnipeg South at 7 p.m.

The senior Carillon Sultans, which lost in the Winnipeg Senior Baseball League finals last year, are also set to begin their season. They’ll be in action May 18 in Stonewall, in a rematch of last year’s championship.

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Friday, May. 19, 2023

A St James A's player misses a catch at third base. The Carillon Sultans were in tough against St James, as they lost both games of a double-header May 14. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Pistons bow out of Centennial Cup

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Pistons bow out of Centennial Cup

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Thursday, May. 18, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons season came down to a single chance.

During their fourth game of the Centennial Cup, needing a goal to win in regulation and clinch a playoff spot, Kirk Mullen received a perfect pass from Dawson Milliken, and looked to one-time the puck past the Battlefords North Stars goaltender, and launch Steinbach into the next round.

Instead, Josh Kotai stretched every inch of his body out, denying Mullen the goal with his blocker, and leaving Steinbach lacking a go-ahead tally. Kian Bell would find that regulation go-ahead goal, but it was for the North Stars, as the Saskatchewan champions locked up their own playoff spot, leaving Steinbach searching for answers.

“It was hard to believe,” Pistons head coach Paul Dyck said on the chance.

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Thursday, May. 18, 2023

Kirk Mullen had a chance to extend Steinbach's Centennial Cup run, but was denied by Battlefords goaltender Josh Kotai. Mullen's shot would have given the Pistons a 2-1 lead in a game they needed to win in regulation to make the playoffs at the national junior A tournament. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Steinbach eliminated from Centennial Cup with 3-1 loss

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Steinbach eliminated from Centennial Cup with 3-1 loss

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons season came to an end May 16, as they dropped their final preliminary round game at the Centennial Cup to the Battlefords North Stars.

The Pistons needed a win in regulation to nab a playoff spot, but ended up losing 3-1 in a hotly contested affair.

Steinbach had a glorious chance to take the lead late in the third period, but Kirk Mullen was robbed by Josh Kotai on a two-on-one chance. Noah Szabo had tied the game with a point shot and Steinbach, needing a win in regulation, poured players forward in search of a go-ahead goal.

Instead, it was Kian Bell who would find the winner, flipping a puck past Dominik Wasik with three minutes to go, ending Steinbach's Centennial Cup. Battlefords would add an empty net goal.

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Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

Ian Amsbaugh is stopped on a breakaway during the second period of Steinbach's game against Battlefords at the Centennial Cup. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

High School teams kick off baseball season

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Preview

High School teams kick off baseball season

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

The boys (and girls) of summer have hit the fields across the southeast.

Some of the first baseball action of any kind across the province came as high schools opened up their spring baseball schedule, including teams across zone 13 May 4.

There are two tiers of teams this year in the zone 13 south league, with Steinbach Regional Secondary School, Gabrielle Roy, St Joachim and Landmark making up the top tier. The second tier includes Niverville, Lorette, Ste Anne and Edward Schreyer (Beausejour).

Tier one games are played at Stahn Field in Mitchell, with second tier games taking place in Blumenort and Ile des Chenes. All games are scheduled to take place on Thursday nights.

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Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

Josh Bartlett (black helmet) celebrates with teammates following his walk-off home run during Gabrielle-Roy's opening baseball game of the Zone 13 season. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Willms returning to Providence as athletic director

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Willms returning to Providence as athletic director

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Monday, May. 15, 2023

The Providence Pilots have a new director of athletics, and he is a familiar face.

Russell Willms graduated from the college in 2001, and the school’s seminary in 2004. He played for the Pilots’ men’s soccer team, and helped coach the women’s team while studying.

After graduating, Russell worked as an assistant coach at the University of Manitoba until 2007, when he was hired as Canadian Mennonite University’s director of athletics and men’s soccer coach.

While at CMU, Russell was a key figure in introducing futsal to the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC), and it has been played ever since. He also helped the CMU basketball teams join the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which Providence also play in. He also represented the conference at the national level

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Monday, May. 15, 2023

Russ Willms played for the Providence Pilots and helped coach the women's team during his time as a student. Now he returns as the Pilots' athletics director. (Kevin Friesen Providence College)

Pistons pick up first win at national championship

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

Pistons pick up first win at national championship

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Sunday, May. 14, 2023

It took a few tries, but the Steinbach Pistons have finally walked off the ice at a national championship as the winning team.

The Pistons couldn't have picked a better time to notch their first-ever win at a national championship, defeating the Kam River Fighting Walleye 5-2 at the Centennial Cup in Portage May 14, keeping their playoff hopes alive at the national junior A championship.

In the team's previous trip to the RBC Cup (2018) and Western Canada Cup (2013), they failed to record a single win.

Steinbach's playoff hopes will come down to a match-up against the Saskatchewan champions, the Battlefords North Stars May 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Pistons hold a one-point lead in the standings, after losing to Collingwood in overtime in the tournament opener.

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Sunday, May. 14, 2023

Ty Paisley (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1974: Steinbacher Stoesz leads Steelers to 1974 Centennial Cup win

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1974: Steinbacher Stoesz leads Steelers to 1974 Centennial Cup win

Wes Keating 2 minute read Sunday, May. 14, 2023

The Selkirk Steelers, with five Steinbach players in their lineup, became the second Manitoba team to capture the Centennial Cup, emblematic of national junior hockey supremacy.

The Steelers won the first two games in their final series with the Smith Falls Bears and built up a 3-1 lead in games before the Ontario team battled back with two straight wins, forcing a seventh game in Ottawa.

Brilliant goaltending by Andy Stoesz, aided by superb penalty killing by Ray Mutcheson, made the difference in the seventh game of the series, which took over 60 minutes to decide.

Neither team managed to score until, with just four minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Gord Kalusniak gave the western champs a one-goal edge. Steinbach’s Ken Neufeld earned an assist on the winning marker.

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Sunday, May. 14, 2023

The Progressive Conservative Party did its part to recognize the Selkirk Steelers as Centennial Cup Champions at a political rally in Selkirk. Even though the Steelers had defeated his beloved Prince Albert Raiders on the way to the national title, former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker was all smiles as he presented captain Ken Neufeld with a plaque congratulating the team. With Diefenbaker and Neufeld is Provencher MP Jake Epp.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: What the Hellebuyck?

James Loewen 5 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: What the Hellebuyck?

James Loewen 5 minute read Sunday, May. 14, 2023

Of all the verbal fireworks we’ve heard since Jets coach Rick Bowness showed his absolute disdain for the pathetic effort his team gave when facing elimination, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s season-ending comments were the most unhinged from reality:

“The feeling in the room is great…There’s a lot of heart and soul in that room, that gave it their all. I guess that’s all you ask for.”

That is provably false. Anyone watching the start of the Jets golf season – pardon me, I mean game 5 against Vegas – could see with their own eyes that the Jets did the exact opposite of what Hellebuyck described. Instead of giving it their all it looked like the team could hardly wait for the game to be over so they could get out of town and start their vacation.

How stupid does Hellebuyck think Jets fans are? Are we supposed to believe his words more than our eyes?

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Sunday, May. 14, 2023

Of all the verbal fireworks we’ve heard since Jets coach Rick Bowness showed his absolute disdain for the pathetic effort his team gave when facing elimination, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s season-ending comments were the most unhinged from reality:

“The feeling in the room is great…There’s a lot of heart and soul in that room, that gave it their all. I guess that’s all you ask for.”

That is provably false. Anyone watching the start of the Jets golf season – pardon me, I mean game 5 against Vegas – could see with their own eyes that the Jets did the exact opposite of what Hellebuyck described. Instead of giving it their all it looked like the team could hardly wait for the game to be over so they could get out of town and start their vacation.

How stupid does Hellebuyck think Jets fans are? Are we supposed to believe his words more than our eyes?

Sultans preparing for opening pitch of MJBL season

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Sultans preparing for opening pitch of MJBL season

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Monday, May. 15, 2023

The Carillon Sultans junior team is ready to let the baseballs fly.

The Sultans are set to play a doubleheader against the St James A’s May 14 at A.D. Penner Park to open their season in the Manitoba Junior Baseball League (MJBL).

Rick Penner is helping coach the team alongside Joe Hartung, after Bryan Gerbrandt left the program at the end of last year.

“There’s not a lot for us to do at the junior level,” Penner said.

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Monday, May. 15, 2023

Cedric Lagasse was brilliant for the Sultans 18U AAA team, and is looking to bring that success to the MJBL team. Lagasse nearly single-handedly secured the 18U team's spot in the provincial championship last season, pitching a complete game alongside hitting a walk off single to win the game in extra innings. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Steinbach lose to host Terriers in second Centennial Cup game

2 minute read Preview

Steinbach lose to host Terriers in second Centennial Cup game

2 minute read Friday, May. 12, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons couldn't overcome a terrible start, losing to the host Portage Terriers at the Centennial Cup, and dropping to 0-1-1 at the tournament.

Portage looked to be the fresher team early, as the team hadn't played since their game seven defeat to Virden in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League semi-finals April 19. Steinbach had played the night before, dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The Terriers offense came from an unlikely source.

Rory Neill, who played 43 games with the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League's St James Canucks this season, scored two goals in the first period, jamming home two pucks past Steinbach starter Dominik Wasik.

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Friday, May. 12, 2023

Ty Paisley was stoned in tight during the second period, which was emblematic of the Pistons' night against Portage in the Centennial Cup. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Springfield sisters suit up for province, heritage

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Springfield sisters suit up for province, heritage

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Friday, May. 12, 2023

By all accounts, it’s been a memorable season for Anya and Linnea Misner. The pair of sisters from Springfield suited up as teammates throughout the entire season for the Balmoral Hall Blazers, and stayed teammates for Team Manitoba at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in Winnipeg.

“It’s an amazing experience, and a really proud moment for both of us, to be able to represent our Metis heritage and our province in this tournament,” Anya said after a 9-0 victory over Team Atlantic.

The Metis sisters aren’t the only Eastman players donning black-and-yellow Team Manitoba jerseys at the championships. Niverville’s Ginger Fast is also playing for the female team, with La Broqueire’s Eric Cote playing for the male side.

It was Linnea’s first season suiting up for the Blazers, a prep school team based out of Winnipeg which plays at an elite level.

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Friday, May. 12, 2023

By all accounts, it’s been a memorable season for Anya and Linnea Misner. The pair of sisters from Springfield suited up as teammates throughout the entire season for the Balmoral Hall Blazers, and stayed teammates for Team Manitoba at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in Winnipeg.

“It’s an amazing experience, and a really proud moment for both of us, to be able to represent our Metis heritage and our province in this tournament,” Anya said after a 9-0 victory over Team Atlantic.

The Metis sisters aren’t the only Eastman players donning black-and-yellow Team Manitoba jerseys at the championships. Niverville’s Ginger Fast is also playing for the female team, with La Broqueire’s Eric Cote playing for the male side.

It was Linnea’s first season suiting up for the Blazers, a prep school team based out of Winnipeg which plays at an elite level.

Pistons come up just short in Centennial Cup opener

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Pistons come up just short in Centennial Cup opener

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons will have to wait at least one more night before they can notch their first win at a national championship.

Steinbach took the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League to the limit, but couldn't finish the job in overtime, losing 2-1 in their opening game at the Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie.

It was undisciplined play which doomed the Pistons effort, as Langley Kruggel took a four-minute kneeing penalty with the game tied at one and 1:30 to go in the third period.

After a heroic effort to kill off the entire penalty, including 2:30 of 4 on 3 in the overtime, on the next shift Parker Jasper was sent right back to the box. Jasper was caught reaching while attempting to contain a Blues player, tripping his man and sending the Blues right back to the powerplay.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Ian Amsbaugh scored the first goal for Steinbach at the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Pistons hoping for taste of national success

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Preview

Pistons hoping for taste of national success

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons will be facing off against some familiar competition at this year’s Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie.

The 10-team tournament will feature a preliminary round with two groups of five teams, a change from the last time the team made the national championships.

Steinbach is in a group with the Collingwood Blues (Ontario Junior Hockey League), Battlefords North Stars (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League), Kam River Fighting Walleye (Superior International Junior Hockey League) and host Portage Terriers.

The RBC Cup in 2018, Steinbach’s only previous time at a national junior A championship, featured just five teams. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, 10 teams qualify for the national championship. The Pistons finished 0-2-2 in Chilliwack in 2018, failing to make the playoff round.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

The 2018 edition of the Steinbach Pistons salute the crowd after their final game during the 2018 RBC Cup at the Prospera Centre in Chilliwack, B.C. The Pistons will return to the national stage this week as they play in the Centennial Cup. (Matthew Murnaghan Hockey Canada)

Pistons set to play in La Broquerie next season

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

Pistons set to play in La Broquerie next season

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Monday, May. 8, 2023

The worst-kept secret across the Steinbach area became public knowledge April 26, as La Broqueire council unanimously approved a resolution to allow the Steinbach Pistons to play the 2023/2024 season inside the HyLife Center during a meeting.

La Broquerie reeve Ivan Normandeau said he was excited to once again be able to host Steinbach hockey. Before the construction of the T.G. Smith Centre in 1967, Steinbach hockey players regularly had to make the trip to La Broquerie or St Pierre to play, as there was no covered ice in the city.

“The final agreement has not been signed yet, but we have all the major details,” Normandeau said, adding the parties were waiting until the end of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (Mantioba Junior Hockey League) season before finalizing it.

As part of the resolution, council also approved using up to $50,000 from their economic development reserve fund for building upgrades to accommodate the MJHL. Some of that money will be going into installing a new set of glass along the boards, with improvements also set for the dressing rooms.

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Monday, May. 8, 2023

The HyLife Center in La Broquerie is set to host the Steinbach Pistons next season. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

AS I SEE IT: Saying goodbye to the old barn in style

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT: Saying goodbye to the old barn in style

James Loewen 4 minute read Sunday, May. 7, 2023

It was a true storybook ending for the Centennial Arena. That a provincial championship from the area’s most prominent team would be the very last game ever played in the rink was the best possible way to say farewell.

The Piston’s winning the Turnbull Cup, the third for the franchise, was a real-life Hollywood script. Big-time congratulations to Paul Dyck, the community owners, the organization, the support staff, and of course, the players. Best of luck as you chase a Canadian title in Portage.

The Pistons have been one of the classiest, most successful junior A franchises in the entire country and it’s beyond fitting that they will go from an old barn to a state-of-the-art facility.

There are an awful lot of people – and categories of people – to thank as this era in our community ends.

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Sunday, May. 7, 2023

Fans had no shortage of love for goaltender Dominik Wasik, who posted three shutouts on home ice during the finals (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1991: Community golf course is Gauthier family’s legacy

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1991: Community golf course is Gauthier family’s legacy

Wes Keating 4 minute read Saturday, May. 6, 2023

The quarter section of farmland that has been in the family for 70 years has been transformed into a first class 18-hole community golf course, fulfilling a family dream for Roland Gauthier and his eight siblings.

Spring arrived at La Verendrye Golf Course when the Gauthiers brushed off the blanket of sand which had protected the front nine for the winter. Those greens, with the grass looking thick and lush, were coaxed back into life by a computerized irrigation system, providing the first clue that this 18-hole layout is much more than a revamped pasture.

The open space that surrounds the 4,000 square-foot clubhouse is a deceptive window to the course. A winding, treed path takes you to the second hole, where beaver dams, rolling hills and thick brush soon become part of the scenic La Verendrye Golf Course.

With the help of a brother who’s a steel rigger, six girded bridges were built to take golfers between the holes that play among the meandering Seine River. The soil is sandy, there is an island tee-off and several shots are played over the river.

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Saturday, May. 6, 2023

The quarter section of farmland that has been in the family for 70 years has been transformed into a first class 18-hole community golf course, fulfilling a family dream for Roland Gauthier and his eight siblings.

Spring arrived at La Verendrye Golf Course when the Gauthiers brushed off the blanket of sand which had protected the front nine for the winter. Those greens, with the grass looking thick and lush, were coaxed back into life by a computerized irrigation system, providing the first clue that this 18-hole layout is much more than a revamped pasture.

The open space that surrounds the 4,000 square-foot clubhouse is a deceptive window to the course. A winding, treed path takes you to the second hole, where beaver dams, rolling hills and thick brush soon become part of the scenic La Verendrye Golf Course.

With the help of a brother who’s a steel rigger, six girded bridges were built to take golfers between the holes that play among the meandering Seine River. The soil is sandy, there is an island tee-off and several shots are played over the river.

Local softball season kicks off this weekend

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Local softball season kicks off this weekend

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Friday, May. 5, 2023

The ball diamonds near Friedensfeld will soon be filled with the ding of bats and the pop of catcher’s mitts as the Eastman Wildcats softball season is set to get underway.

Games could be taking place at the facility as soon as May 7, with the U13 team hosting the Interlake Phillies, depending on field conditions.

Russ Kihn helps coach U13 for the Wildcats, and has a daughter playing for the U15 team. He said players from all age groups have been eager to hit the fields, but a late-spring snowfall had prevented it.

“It’s been a bit frustrating, but it’s definately getting us excited for when we can get out there,” Kihn said.

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Friday, May. 5, 2023

The Eastman Wildcats walk into the opening ceremonies at the U15 National Softball Championships in Saskatoon in 2022. They were the first Wildcats team to make a national championship, and the squad had a solid showing, finishing sixth. (Submitted Photo)

Pistons cap off T.G. Smith Centre with Turnbull Cup victory

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Preview

Pistons cap off T.G. Smith Centre with Turnbull Cup victory

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Thursday, May. 4, 2023

The Steinbach Pistons authored a perfect end to the T.G. Smith Centre, winning their third Turnbull Cup on home ice over the Virden Oil Capitals April 30.

Their 3-0 victory would be the final action inside the aging building, which is due to be replaced by fall of 2024. Over 1,300 people packed into the old barn to watch Steinbach clinch the title.

It was a true home ice advantage for the Pistons, as they posted a home record of 7-3 in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) playoffs, including three wins in the finals.

“A lot of teams in Steinbach have won this year, so we felt a little pressure to hoist another trophy,” long-time head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said after the game, his voice hoarse from celebrating.

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Thursday, May. 4, 2023

Dawson Milliken rushes to his teammates after accepting the Turnbull Cup from MJHL commissioner Kevin Saurette (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

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