Week 1 of the 3 week Source for Sports AAA Hockey Challenge wrapped up Sunday. In total, teams competed in 5 different divisions. The tournament continues April 23-26 and April 30-May 3. 2019 Maverick Pederson scored four goals including his 26th goal of the tournament with 12:38 remaining in the third period and as the PHD Predators extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-4 win over the Brandon Ducks at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Rounding out the scoring for the PHD Predators was and Rowen Whitehead with a single tally. Goaltender Milo Hemenway turned aside 10 shots for the PHD Predators in the win. Striking for the Brandon Ducks was Mack Hellyer and Zane Ziemer with a pair of goals each. Kade Schroeder added two assists. Goaltender Macoy Gervin made seven saves in the loss for the Brandon Ducks. 2018 Silver  Sloan McIntosh scored two goals and added three assists as the Manitoba Summit extended its winning streak to five games with a 10-5 victory over the Wheatland Wild at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Adding markers for the Manitoba Summit was Rowan Fraser and Banks Meilleur and Lawson Kyle with a pair of goals each, Thomas Fehr and Wylder Warkentin each with single strikes. Fraser, Fehr and Luca Vandenham each added two assists. Goaltender Paxton Stewart turned aside 15 shots for the Manitoba Summit in the victory. Providing the offence for the Wheatland Wild was Wesley Kinoshita with a hat-trick and Ashton Swereda and Paxton Hegedus with a goal each. Caleb Swereda and Kolter Warburton each added two assists. Goaltender Nohl Sebulsky made nine saves in the loss for the Wheatland Wild. 2017 Silver  Carter Rhéault scored five goals and added an assist as the Central Plains Capitals extended its winning streak to five games with a 8-2 win over the MB Force at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Also scoring for the Central Plains Capitals was Nash Pierce with two goals and Sonny Wiebe with a single tally. Goaltender Walker Potvin turned aside seven shots for the Central Plains Capitals in the victory. Scoring for the MB Force was Jaxon Hiebert and Kipp Edwards each with single strikes. Goaltender Trey Moffatt made eight saves in the loss for the MB Force. 2017 Gold  Ryker Vaughan scored a hat-trick including his 11th goal of the tournament with 0:20 remaining in the third period and as the Wheatland Wild extended their winning streak to five games with a 4-3 conquest over the Yellowhead Jr Chiefs at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Rounding out the scoring for the Wheatland Wild was and Heath Schaeffer with a single tally. Goaltender Kade Chewka turned aside 14 shots for the Wheatland Wild in the win. Cashing in for the Yellowhead Jr Chiefs was Knox Pomehichuk, Leighton Lowry and Griffin Machan chipping in with a goal each. Goaltender Coulter Wilson made 19 saves in the loss for the Yellowhead Jr Chiefs. 2012 Silver  Holden Andrews scored two goals to help support the MB Force in a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Warriors at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Sunday. Adding markers for the MB Force was Orrin Fehr and Mason Cox each with single strikes. Goaltender Hayden Collins turned aside 19 shots for the MB Force in the victory. Scoring for the Winnipeg Warriors was Rowan Whitely and Henry Hemmerling with a goal each. Goaltender Cruz Morin made 24 saves in the loss for the Winnipeg Warriors.  

Brandon's Clarke Caswell made the move a year ago to commit to the NCAA with the Denver Pioneers. The former Swift Current Bronco's captain felt going to Denver was a team that could go all the way. Two nights ago with 5 minutes left in front of 18,000 fans Caswell scores a clutch goal to tie the game with the number one ranked Michigan Wolverines. In OT Denver was able to capture the win and a date to be in the Frozen 4 game vs Wisconsin. Another come from behind win that saw Denver come from being down 1 - 0 with the Badgers and win the Pioneers third NCAA Championship in the last 5 years. Final score 2 - 1 Denver over Wisconsin. Clarke's parents Brent and Kami-Rae were on hand to witness their sons biggest win of his career. Caswell may return to Denver or would sign in the off season with Seattle whom drafted him two years ago. Brandon's Brock Trotter and Brett Skinner were also former DU players.

Brandon is once again set to welcome elite youth hockey talent from across the region as the Source for Sports AAA Summer Hockey Challenge returns for another exciting year of competition. The annual showcase will bring together top-tier teams and players for a multi-weekend tournament that continues to grow in both size and reputation. Hosted in Brandon, the event will feature age divisions ranging from 2012-2019 over three weekends (April 9-12, April 23-26, and April 30-May 3) Games will be held at key local venues such as the Brandon Community Sportsplex, J&G Arena, and the Keystone Centre, all of which are central hubs for hockey in the city.   The Source for Sports AAA Hockey Challenge has become a staple on the provincial hockey calendar, building on the province’s strong tradition of elite minor hockey. Manitoba’s AAA system represents the highest level of minor hockey in the province and serves as a key development pathway for players aspiring to advance to junior, collegiate, and professional levels. Alumni of the tournament include Matt Calvert, Jordan Eberle, Morgan Geekie, Seth Jarvis, Jason Robertson, Mark Stone and many other current and past NHL players. Beyond the on-ice action, the tournament is also expected to bring a boost to the local economy, with visiting teams, families, and spectators filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses throughout the city. As anticipation builds, the Source for Sports AAA Summer Hockey Challenge promises to deliver fast-paced action, high-level competition, and a showcase of some of the best young hockey talent in the region—right in the heart of western Manitoba. All games are free to attend.

Boxing fans in Brandon are gearing up for an adrenaline-filled evening as the “Spring Showdown” takes over the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre on Saturday, May 9. Hosted by the Brandon Fitness Combat Academy, the highly anticipated event promises a showcase of local talent, fierce competition, and an electric atmosphere. Set inside the Vic Inn’s Imperial Ballroom, the card will feature a lineup of rising prospects and hometown fighters, all eager to make their mark in front of a passionate crowd. Organizers say fans can expect explosive matchups and high-level amateur boxing throughout the night, highlighting the strength and depth of the region’s combat sports scene. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 6 p.m. Early Bird tickets are available for $30 until April 24, with general admission priced at $35 at the door. For those looking for a more premium experience, private tables are also available. The Spring Showdown not only offers a thrilling night of action but also serves as an opportunity for the community to rally behind local athletes as they step into the ring. Tickets can be purchased in person at Peak Performance or by calling 204-727-7016. With anticipation building, May 9 is shaping up to be a must-see night for boxing fans across Brandon and beyond

Photo: Killarney Shamrocks Facebook The Killarney Shamrocks are champions once again. Killarney secured its second consecutive league title (THHL) recently with a 3-1 victory over the Hartney Blues in Game 5 of their championship series. In a tightly contested matchup, the Shamrocks rose to the occasion in the deciding game, delivering a strong performance on both ends of the ice to clinch the series. After a hard-fought battle between the two clubs, Killarney’s depth and composure proved to be the difference, as they closed out the series in front of an energized crowd. With the win, the Shamrocks now turn their attention to the Manitoba Provincial ‘A’ Final, where they will face the Winkler Royals, champions of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (SEMHL). The provincial final will be a best-of-three series to determine the champion. Game 1 is set for Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 p.m. in Killarney. The series will then shift to Winkler for Game 2 on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will return to Killarney on Sunday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m. Leading the way throughout the postseason was Killarney goaltender Brian Archibald, who was named playoff Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance between the pipes. Archibald’s steady presence and key saves played a pivotal role in backstopping the Shamrocks to back-to-back titles. The stage is now set for a provincial showdown, as Killarney looks to carry its championship momentum into the next round.