The Division 2 championship in the Wendy's Winter Hockey League was decided on Saturday evening, as Southern Seed (pictured above) secured a 5-2 victory over Smitty's Wings, in game 2 of their best of 3 series. Bryson Werbicki-Mallet scored a goal and added an assist, while Rylan Veitch, Tavish Quinn, Mitchell Thiessen, and Eric Sorenson rounded out the scoring for Southern Seed. Of note, Jody Sass was on-hand to present the championship banner as league owner/commissioner Darryl Wolski had to attend to a prior engagement. The Assiniboine Cougars hockey team made it all the way to the 2025 ACHA National Championship Final before dropping a 6-2 decision to the Sault College Cougars. The Neelin Spartans varsity boys basketball team captured the 2024-25 “AAA” provincial championship banner. The Spartans defeated Garden City Zodiacs 76-70 on March 23 in a game played in Winnipeg. Owen Falk was named to the tournament all star team, while Ethan Olson took home the MVP award. The Brandon AAA U18 Wheat Kings hockey season came to end on March 26, as the team was swept in the league final in their best of 5 series against the Winnipeg Wild. The Vincent Massey Vikings hockey team swept their best-of-three series against the Dauphin Clippers in the finals of the Westman High School Hockey League. In baseball news, the AAA Brandon Marlins tryout registration is now available online. Tryouts will be held April 11th-13th and the coaching staff for each respective division has also been announced: Torey Scott 18U head coach, Dylan Haney 15U head coach and Tim Lang as the 13U head coach. The Killarney Shamrocks are your THHL champions for 2024-25. Killarney won the final series 3 games to 1 over the Virden Oil Kings. Ty Enns was named the Playoff MVP after registering 33 points in only 12 playoff games.

The Manitoba government is encouraging campers and nature enthusiasts to mark their calendars, as provincial park campground reservations will open over five days from April 7 to 11, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced today. “Spring is here and Manitobans are looking forward to spending quality time in nature,” said Moyes. “This year, as Canadians are choosing to explore closer to home, Manitoba’s provincial parks offer incredible destinations for adventure, relaxation and discovery. Last week, our government was pleased to announce in Budget 2025 we are making parks entry free for one year.” To accommodate high demand, reservations will once again open in stages over five days to make it easier to secure a spot at favorite provincial park campgrounds, noted Moyes. Before opening day, users are encouraged to check their online accounts, update passwords and review reservation rules. The Parks Reservation Service also offers campsite photos and descriptions to help campers choose the perfect spot. The Parks Reservation Service will start taking reservations at 7 a.m. each day online at www.manitobaparks.com and by phone at 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1-888-482-2267 (toll-free) on the dates listed below: Monday, April 7. – reservations open for all cabins, yurts and group-use areas; Tuesday, April 8 – reservations open for campsites at Birds Hill, Winnipeg Beach and Grand Beach campgrounds; Wednesday, April 9 – reservations open for campsites in all campgrounds in Whiteshell Provincial Park including Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell Lake, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake; Thursday, April 10 – reservations open for campsites in all northern and western campgrounds including Asessippi, Bakers Narrows, Clearwater Lake (Campers Cove and Pioneer Bay), Duck Mountain (Blue Lakes, Childs Lake and Wellman Lake), Manipogo, Rainbow Beach, Rivers, Paint Lake, Spruce Woods (Kiche Manitou), Turtle Mountain (Adam Lake), Wekusko Falls and William Lake; and Friday, April 11 – reservations open for campsites in all remaining campground locations including Birch Point, Camp Morton, Hecla (Gull Harbour), Hnausa Beach, Lundar Beach, Moose Lake, Nopiming (Beresford Lake, Bird Lake, Black Lake, Shoe Lake and Tulabi Falls), St. Malo, Stephenfield and Watchorn. On opening days, online users will enter a virtual waiting room before 7 a.m. Depending on traffic, users may be placed in a queue to ensure a smooth booking process. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can also be made at 1181 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning April 7 for the parks and facilities described above.

Bargain hunters in Brandon have something exciting to look forward to! Liquidator’s Closet, a brand-new discount store, is set to open its doors this Friday in the Corral Center, conveniently located (923 18th Street North) between Dollarama and Moores. Offering brand-new items at unbeatable prices, Liquidator’s Closet promises a treasure hunt shopping experience with a wide selection of clothing, bedding, shoes, toys, bikes, household goods, and much more. With new stock arriving daily, shoppers can expect fresh deals every visit. Whether you’re looking for everyday essentials or a surprise find, Liquidator’s Closet is sure to become a go-to destination for savvy shoppers. Don’t miss out—stop by on opening day and see what bargains await!

Based on a post on their Instagram account, Sugar Shop (726 18th Street) will be opening a location in Brandon on March 24, 2025. They offer body sugaring services and products for both retail and wholesale.. For more info on their products and services, click here.

The Precision Toyota Blazers (pictured above) captured the Division 1 title in the Wendy's Winter Hockey Leage for the first time in 7-years as they swept their best of 3-series against the East 40 Icemen. On March 15, Brandon's Nolan Wright picked up the first win in his young college baseball career for the Dakota Lumberjacks, Wright tossed 2.1 innings in relief as the Lumberjacks outscored Minnesota North College-Rainy River 14-9. The Brandon University Bobcats are not only the host of the 2025 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship, they will now be participating in the championship game. The team punched their way into today's final (6pm) against the defending champion Alberta Golden Bears, following a reverse sweep against the gritty Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday. The Crocus Plains hockey team have found themselves in the B-side Final in the Westman High School Hockey League where they will tangle with the GBC Wildcats. Game 1 Sunday March 23 530 Flynn Arena Game 2 Monday March 24 630 Carberry Arena Game 3 (if needed) Wednesday March 26 630 Westoba Place ***all times are warm up time*** Over in the A-Side final, the Vincent Massey Vikings hockey team will battle the winner of the Dauphin & Swan River series for league supremacy. That series is presently tied at one game a piece with the deciding game scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Swan River. Goalie Kristen Campbell is one of two Manitoban's named to the Canada’s National Women’s Team roster for the upcoming the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Campbell, from Brandon, plays for Toronto in the PWHL. Ste. Anne's Jocelyne Larocque was also named to the team. The Killarney Shamrocks have jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in their best of five series against the Virden Oil Kings for the THHL title. Game three is that series takes place Monday evening in Killarney. In the Manitoba AAA U 18 Hockey League final, the Winnipeg Wild scored a decisive 6-1 victory in game one in their best of five series against the Brandon AAA U18 Wheat Kings. Game 2 goes Monday evening in Winnipeg at the Hockey For All Centre with puck drop at 7:15 pm.