WINNIPEG -- Folks at the Winnipeg Goldeyes office were thrilled with the Weekend Weather forecast on Friday morning. After some chilly days for the Goldeyes Open House in the past – and the first day of the team’s training camp – Environment Canada has  predicted that the weekend weather will be solid in the ‘Peg as the Goldeyes invite their fans to Shaw Park for what they hope will be the best season ever. Saturday’s Open House, the official start of summer for baseball fans, begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 in the afternoon. Among other things, this is the first day that fans can purchase individual game tickets so if you want great seats for this year’s fireworks nights or you really want that Dancing Gabe bobblehead on July 13, this Saturday, May 7, is the day to buy your tickets. And don’t forget, while the Open House begins at 11, the box office opens at 10 a.m.   And make no mistake, for even the casual baseball fan, Saturday will be a sensational day: The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a free hot dog, chips and Pepsi products. The Goldeyes will work out on the field from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Season ticket and mini pack holders can pick up their 2016 tickets. Fans can get a tour of the ballpark, including a look inside the Goldeyes clubhouse and a special private tour of the umpire’s room with umpires Henry Lemoine and Bob Bland. Steve Schuster, the voice of the Winnipeg Goldeyes, will be interviewing Goldeyes players and coaches right on the field to get their insight on the upcoming 2016 American Association season. The radar pitching booth will be atop Section A for fans to clock their pitch speed. Younger Goldeyes fans can sign up to become a member of Goldie’s Home Run Gang. Fans can test their arm speed in the TCBY Radar Pitching Booth on the Concourse. “We’ll have free Winkler meats hot dogs, Old Dutch chips and Pepsi products for the first 1,500 people through the door plus ballpark tours and your chance to buy the best seats for the biggest games,” said Goldeyes general manager Andrew Collier.  “As it is every year, it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s a chance to get out in the sunshine and watch the 2016 Goldeyes go through their first official workout of the season.” “And remember, it’s free.” The Goldeyes will play their first pre-season games on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday May 11, both at 6 p.m., against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and then they’ll head out to open the 2016 campaign in Joplin on Thursday, May 19. The home schedule begins on Monday, May 30 against the Sioux Falls Canaries and yes, there are some tickets remaining for Opening Night. So make sure you get out to the Goldeyes Open House on May 7 at 10 a.m. to secure your Opening Night seats.  

Courtesy: BU Bobcats BRANDON - Continuing the trend of Brandon players to make the transition from high school to the next level, yet another stand-out has signed a letter of intent to play for her hometown Bobcats. Shayla Heinrichs of Brandon's Vincent Massey High School has committed to play for the Bobcats women's volleyball team beginning next season. Heinrichs, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, has made a name for herself in the Manitoba high school and club volleyball scene for her athleticism and ability. The opportunity to stay and play for her hometown team is something she is excited for. "Growing up here in Brandon and seeing first-hand the strong volleyball program BU has definitely helped make my decision," says Heinrichs. "It's always been a dream of mine to play CIS volleyball and I feel very fortunate to play in my hometown." On top of being a stand-out with the Vincent Massey Vikings, Heinrichs is also a product of the Cats Volleyball Club, which is based out of BU. Heinrichs is used to playing on a big stage. Entering the season, she was ranked #8 in the Winnipeg Sun pre-season coaches poll. She closed the season in the playoffs, leading the Vikings to an AAAA semi-final appearance this past season thanks to a massive 20 kill, 20 dig performance in the quarterfinals. For her efforts she was named to the all-Manitoba team and a Volleyball Manitoba graduating all-star this past season. "Having a local athlete with such great ability and skill gives us excitement knowing that she wants to play for her hometown team," says Bobcats coach Lee Carter. "She is an incredibly dynamic athlete. She moves extremely well, reads the game, and we've enjoyed watching her develop as a volleyball player over the years. The fact that she wants to stay here in Brandon to train, play volleyball and study is great news and we look forward to having her join our team." Heinrichs was also named Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA) Athlete of the Week this past October for her efforts in both volleyball and basketball. She plans to enroll in Brandon University's Bachelor of Physical Education Studies program.

There's really nothing like playoff hockey. It's an adrenaline rush just to be in the crowd. If you've got some time and energy, may I suggest a trip to Tampa on the east coast to see the Lightning and the Islanders play in this next round.  If you fly to Tampa (TPA) you'll enjoy a whole entertainment district in the Amalie arena area. Make sure to allow a couple hours to enjoy the pregame festivities. Tampa definitely knows how to host a hockey party.  I was last there in 2011 when the Lightning played the Bruins in the eastern final. We enjoyed pre-game concerts and games, plus were just dazzled in general by the major sports network tv sets ups.  Hockey is not just a Canadian game. They not only embrace it, but celebrate it in Tampa (and Anaheim too).  Tickets to the game can be easily picked up on Stubhub.com. Tickets are delivered to you electronically and are guaranteed by Stubhub to be valid. In the two dozen or times I've used them I've never had a problem with their services.  Make sure you get to the arena a few hours early. Especially for game 5 on Saturday, it will be an all-day event you'll never forget.  Currently airline prices are about $600 (tax included). The best flights I found are with United and connecting through Chicago. Leaving May 2nd and returning on May 5th. That just takes in game 5. If you'd like to stay a few days see the beach or Busch Gardens, and hang around incase it goes to game 7, you'll need to stay until Mother's Day, May 8th.  Delta also flies pretty conveniently on this route. To find the best flight times and prices, I suggest using an APP like 'On The Fly." 

Brandon product and former Wheat King left-winger Brett Kitt, and his Melfort Mustangs teammates won the SJHL championship tonight defeating the Flin Flon Bombers 2-1 in game 6 of the championship final.    The Mustangs take home their second consecutive Canalta Cup Championship with the victory. They now move onto the Western Canada Cup being held this year in Estevan. Other teams in the tournament include: SJHL: Melfort Mustangs Host: Estevan Bruins MJHL: Portage Terriers AJHL: Brooks Bandits BCHL: West-Kelowna Warriors Two teams from the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup will advance to the RBC Cup in Lloydminster. Kitt for his part chipped in with 6 points in 11 games during the playoffs while registering 19 penalty minutes.  He spent parts of two seasons with the Wheat Kings playing in 41 games.   Dakota Boutin, a onetime draft selection of the Brandon Wheat King and Boissevan product Sam Houston are also part of the Mustangs roster.

Week one of the Source for Sports AAA Summer Hockey Challenge is in the books with thirteen teams participating in three different age groups. The tournament got underway Friday with the finals being played on Sunday.  All games were played inside the rinks at the Keystone Centre. The  MB Steel went undefeated over the weekend capturing the 2007 division by beating the Southwest Jets by a score of 5-2.  Colten Worthington lead the offense with 2 goals while Jaxon Jacobson, Cole Temple and Junior Martine each tallied once.  The Jets Tyson Draper scored both his teams goals in the loss.  Former Wheat King captain Brad Twordik was behind the bench for the Southwest Jets. The Southwest Jets captured the 2006 division as they toppled the SK Crusaders 7-2 in the finals. Kolby Diehl scored 3 goals and added an assist in the contest.  Other markers came off the sticks of Regan Anderson, Carter Bartley, Jackson Kohut, and Kylan Anderson.  The Jets were dominate throughout the tournament outscoring their opposition 55-4 in their five games.  Crusaders goals came off the sticks of  Blaze Gutzke and Noah Osiowy. The 2004 division was a nail bitter right down to the final horn.  The Snipers narrowly escaped with a 6-5 victory over the Man-Sask Wolfpack.  Will Wiseman and and Cole Topham lead the charge offensively with 2 goals each.  Brodie Stovan, and Carter Johannson each chipped in with singles. The Wolfpack, who at one time found themselves down 6-3 in the third, received 3 goals from Tyler Thompson.  Colby Cuddington dented the twine twice in the loss.  The Wolfpacks Trinity Bear lead all scorers in the final contest registering 5 assists. Tournament Notes:  Spotted among the crowd on Saturday was current Winnipeg Blue Bomber GM Wade Miller.  Other local celebrities spotted at the rink taking in the action over the weekend include former Edmonton Oiler Alex Plante, current Wheat King John Quenneville, and the voice of the Wheat Kings Bruce Luebke.  Derek Sobkow, timekeeping for a 10th consecutive tournament, was named the tournament’s top off ice official.  The AAA Hockey Challenge takes a one week break and then returns May 6-8th with the girls taking center stage.