Beyond the Box Score: Local Sports News for March 16, 2025

The final round matchup has been finalized  in the THHL In the West Division Final, the Virden Oil Kings swept  their best on 5 series against the Hartney Blues. Over in the East Division Final, the Rivers Jets won the first 2-games in their best of 5-series against the Killarney Shamrocks before Killarney came storming back to win the next 3.

BU Bobcats basketball player Sultan Haider Bhatti was named to the U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian team.

Brandon resident, and former Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA goalie, Mason Lobreau won his 100th MJHL game this past week. Lobreau is in his third and final season with the Neepawa Titans.

The MJHL playoffs kick-off this coming weekend. The East Division will feature a matchup between the Dauphin Kings and Waywayseecappo Wolverines, while the Northern Manitoba Blizzard will tangle with the Neepawa Titans.

The U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championships takes place in Brandon at the Healthy Living Centre, starting on March 21. The host Brandon University Bobcats will face the top-ranked Winnipeg Wesmen starting at 6pm on the 21st.

Assiniboine Cougars volleyball athlete, Kylee Peake, has been selected as an all-Canadian by the Canadian College Athletic Association. This is the first time that an Assiniboine athlete has been recognized as an All-Canadian. (Assiniboine College News).

Assiniboine Cougars Rachel Halldorson was selected the goalie for the 2025 @ACHAWomensD2 All-Athletic First Team.

The Brandon AAA U18 Wheat Kings eliminated the Southwest Cougars from post-season action Saturday night as they swept the best of 5-series. The Wheat Kings will now prepare to face the winner of the Winnipeg Wild/Winnipeg Bruins series in the league final in the Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League.

In the annual EishockeyNews awards,  Brandon’s Nolan Ritchie was named Player of the Year in the Oberliga South, a  second level of pro ice hockey in Germany. Nolan capped off his first season in Germany with 84 points in 45 games, making him both the top scorer and leading goal scorer of the Oberliga South. He was also selected for the All-Star Team. Another Brandon resident Calder Anderson also had a fantastic season, finishing just behind Ritchie in second place on the top scorers’ list with 81 points in 43 games. His performance was good enough to earn him a spot in the Oberliga South All-Star Team. Both skaters were members of the Heilbronner Falken team.