Friday, December 1, 2023
-The Brandon Wheat Kings welcome the Regina Pats tonight. It’s the start of 8 straight home games for Brandon. The Wheat Kings are currently 7th in the Eastern Conference with 27 points on a record of 11-11-4-and-1. The Saskatoon Blades top the east with 37 points followed by the Tigers, Warriors, Hurricanes, Raiders and Broncos. The Red Deer Rebels are two points behind the Wheat Kings followed to the bottom by the Hitmen, Pats and Oil Kings.
-The Wheat Kings and Kelowna Rockets have swapped 20-year-old defencemen. The Wheat Kings acquired Jackson Desouza for Kayden Sadhra-Kang. The 6-foot-5, 207 pound Desouza has a goal and six assists in 15 games so far this season. Coach Marty Murray says Desouza makes it hard on opposing players – and he’ll hopefully bring some fresh enthusiasm to the team’s back end. In the off-season, Desouza attended both rookie camp and main camp with the Detroit Red Wings.
-Adidas executive Dan Near will be the next commissioner of the Western Hockey League. The 43-year-old starts work on January 1st. Near replaces Ron Robison, who had previously said this season would be his last.
-In the NHL last night – the Edmonton Oilers won their 4th straight game by handing the Winnipeg Jets their 3rd straight loss. They beat the Jets 3-1 last night. Winnipeg welcomes Chicago tomorrow. There are two games tonight – the Ottawa Senators are in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. Ottawa aims to snap a two-game skid – and the New Jersey Devils host the San Jose Sharks.
-The Brandon University Bobcats men’s and women’s basketball teams visit the University of Regina Cougars tonight and Saturday. The men have won 7 straight games since losing their first one against the U-of-M Bisons. The women are still looking for their first win. In volleyball – the Bobcats host the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades at the Healthy Living Centre this weekend.
-At the Provincial A, AA & AAA High School Varsity Volleyball Championships. The AA boys championship is in Ile des Chenes where Boissevain lost to Major Pratt/St. Lazare yesterday. The Broncos will meet Elton, Landmark and Morris today. The Provincial A championship is in Fisher River. The Deloraine girls beat the host Hawks and Baldur/Cartwright. The Colts will take on Glenboro and Reston today. The Wawanesa boys lost to Hamiota, but defeated Glenboro. The Warriors will take on Frontier Mosakahiken and Elm Creek today. And the Provincial AAA championships are in Dauphin. The Neelin girls lost to Linden Christian, and will meet Dauphin and Westgate today. The Neelin boys topped Garden Valley of Winkler and will play Springfield and Steinbach Christian today.
-The Saskatchewan Roughriders have hired Corey Mace to be the team’s next head coach. Mace spent the last two seasons as defensive co-ordinator for the Toronto Argonauts, helping the team to a Grey Cup in 2022 – and a 16-and-2 record this past season.
-and in the NFL – the Dallas Cowboys extended their home winning streak to 14 games by rallying for a 41-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
