Two Carillon Sultans are 2022 Manitoba Junior Baseball League All-Stars. Zach Giesbrecht is the All-Star third baseman and Linden Meilleur is the All-Star left-handed pitcher. Bryan Gerbrandt of the Sultans shared the MJBL’s Manager of the Year award with Ed Kulyk of the Elmwood Giants.


The Steinbach Huskies, Springfield Xtreme and Landmark Blues were winners in the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League on the night before Christmas Eve. Brandon Palmer made 32 saves as Steinbach defeated the Red River Mudbugs 3-1 in St. Jean. The first place Huskies have won 15 of 16 games this season. The second place Xtreme scored five unanswered second period goals en route to a 7-2 victory over the Lorette Comets in Ile des Chenes. Springfield improved to 11-4 and are four points ahead of the third place Mudbugs. Brandon Slobozian scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with 3:14 left as the Blues shaded the Macdonald Swarm 4-3 in Sanford.


The Winnipeg Jets lost their final game before the start of the Christmas break. Washington captain Alex Ovechkin scored twice in the Capitals 4-1 victory over Winnipeg. Ovechkin potted his 801st and 802nd career goals and passed Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time list. Kevin Stenlund had the lone goal for the Jets who are off until Tuesday when they face the Minnesota Wild at Canada Life Centre.


Leon Gawanke and Jeff Malott scored power play goals and Declan Chisholm had three assists as the Manitoba Moose edged the Iowa Wild 4-3. Manitoba netminder Arvid Holm made 35 saves.


Connor Bedard scored two power play goals and Thomas Milic stopped 19 shots as Team Canada defeated Finland 5-3. Canada won all three pre-tournament games and will open the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship on Boxing Day against Czechia in Halifax.