The Steinbach Pistons reign as Manitoba Junior Hockey League champions came to an end Friday night in Winkler. Zach Nicholas scored during a two-man advantage 4:59 into overtime to lift the Winkler Flyers past the Pistons 5-4 at the Centennial Arena. Winkler took the best-of-seven final in four straight. Connor Paronuzzi, Jackson Kostiuk, James Fuchs and Parker Jasper did the goal scoring for Steinbach. Jasper’s goal with 49 seconds left in regulation with Cole Plowman on the bench for an extra attacker tied the game at 4-4. The Flyers, who won the Turnbull Cup for the first time since 1998, will represent the MJHL at the Centennial Cup next month in Oakville, Ontario.


The Brandon Wheat Kings will meet the Calgary Buffaloes in today’s semifinals at the Telus Cup in Nova Scotia. Easton Odut scored twice and Jaxon Jacobson had a goal and three assists as the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League champions defeated the Markham Waxers 7-4. The Wheat Kings finished the preliminary round in third place with a 3-2 record.


Carter George made 26 saves as Canada shutout Czechia 6-0 at the 2024 World U18 Hockey Championship in Finland. Malcolm Spence made history by scoring the fastest goal to start a game, recording the winner just five seconds in and eclipsing the previous tournament record of nine seconds. Spence finished the game with two goals and an assist. Gavin McKenna also had a three-point night with a goal and two helpers. Canada has a 2-0 preliminary round record and will meet Switzerland on Sunday.


The Winnipeg Jets dropped a 6-2 decision to the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche scored five unanswered goals in the third period including three on the power play. Nathan McKinnon had a goal and an assist for Colorado. Tyler Toffoli and Josh Morrissey replied for the Jets. Colorado leads the NHL’s best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal two games to one. Game four goes Sunday afternoon in Denver.