Jayson Argue was one busy goalie Friday night for the Swan Valley Axemen of the North Central Hockey League. Argue faced 108 shots, stopped 106 of them, in dropping a 2-1 decision to the Russell Rams. Russell forward Brock Nixon scored the eventual game winner in the 3rd overtime period. In total Russell peppered Argue with 53 shots in the overtime periods. Prior to this season, Argue had spent four years playing college hockey at Bentley University. Winning goaltender Jerrod Auger stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced in picking up the win.

The middle of February saw the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks release their coaching staff for 2019 and today they announced the team’s first group of player commitments. The first player introductions (listed below) include a pitcher, an outfielder, and a shortstop/2nd basemen. Robbie Merced, a short stop/2nd baseman from Fort Scott Community College and a native of Springfield, MO; Colton Charnholm, a pitcher with Spokane Falls Community College and a native of Belgrade, MT; Jayce Bailey, an outfielder with Boise State University and a native of Coeur D'Alene, ID Additional player introductions will be released on the team's Facebook account in the coming weeks. The team opens the season on the road in Minot on May 24th against the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs. The team’s home opener has been scheduled several days later, on the 28th, against the same Sabre Dogs club. For information on the Expedition League visit www.theexpeditionleague.com.

The Manitoba Room will be transformed into The Patch at this year's Brier being held inside Brandon's Keystone Centre from March 2-10. The Patch is "curling’s legendary party place" featuring a nightly lineup of live entertainment, food & beverages, activities, and more. A series of musical acts have already been confirmed including: The Incredibly Hip, The Proud Sons, and Brad Johner and the Johner Brothers.  Fans will also have the chance to meet athletes at daily team autograph sessions and ask questions at the “Up Close & Personal Sessions.” For more details please click this link.

Bradley Schoonbaert and James Shearer were named to the 2018-19 Canada West All-Rookie Team earlier today. Both Schoonbaert and Shearer are members of the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey team. Shearer spent three seasons patrolling the blue line with the Brandon Wheat Kings prior to joining the Dinos. The hard hitting defensemen picked up 12 points in 28 games in his first season with the Dinos. Schoonbaert played 3 seasons with the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons before making the jump to the Dinos. With Calgary this season he put up 13 points in 17 games. Both players skated in the Wendy's Summer Hockey League in 2018.

Jill Officer has been named the Greatest Canadian Female Second of all-time in poll conducted by TSN. Officer received 24 of 31 first place votes. The panel was composed of 31 curling personalities including broadcasters, reporters and elite-level curlers. She received a total score of 208 while Mary-Anne Arsenault finished second with 91 points. Votes were cast on a weighted point system with 8 points for a first place vote, 4 points for a second place vote, 2 points for a third place vote and a single point for a fourth-place vote. To her credit, Officer has won 6 national titles, 2 world championships and an Olympic Gold Medal.