– A massive win for the Brandon University women’s volleyball team in Vancouver Friday night, defeating the six-time defending CIS champion UBC Thunderbirds in four sets. Vaovai Aiono had eight kills and three aces for the second-ranked Lady ‘Cats, who picked up their first win over the top-ranked T-Birds in the program’s nine year history. On the men’s side, the Bobcats didn’t fare as well, falling in four sets. Sebastien Steigmeier scored 15 kills for Brandon, who fell to 7-8. CKLQ’s Tyler Crayston has the full recap here.
– The Brandon University basketball teams continued their winning ways on Friday night at the Healthy Living Centre. The Lady ‘Cats picked up their second straight win with a 70-51 triumph over the Manitoba Bisons. Cassie Cooke collected a game-high 34 points for Brandon who improved to 4-9, matching their highest win total since joining Canada West. On the men’s side, Brandon beat Manitoba 89-73 to extend their winning streak to four straight and up their record to 5-8. The Bobcats had five players in double figures with Turell Scott leading the way 18 points. More on the Bobcats’ wins here.
– Brandon product Cassie Hawrysh saw here Olympic dream came to an end yesterday. Skeleton Canada decided not to start any of Canada’s three women’s athletes Mellisa Hollingsworth, Sarah Reid, and Robynne Thompson in today’s World Cup race. That means Canada won’t get a third sled into the Sochi Games, and that Hollingsworth and Reid will be the two women’s skeletors competing at the Olympics.
– The Brandon Wheat Kings moved into a tie for first-place in the Western Hockey League’s East Division with a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Swift Current Broncos last night. Peter Quenneville had a goal and three assists for Brandon, who overcame 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 deficits at various points in the contest. Tim McGauley and Ryan Pulock added a goal and two assists each for Brandon. Jordan Papirny made 28 saves as the Wheat Kings improved to 24-17-4-0, matching their win total from all of the 2012-2013 season. For more on the Wheat Kings, visit Bruce Luebke’s blog at http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/
– A pair of streaks continued Friday night in the MJHL. The Dauphin Kings made it six straight wins with a 5-3 victory over the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, behind a pair of goals from Brandonite Brayden Cuthbert. Killarney product Jesse Bernard added a goal and an assist for Kings, who moved six points up on the Virden Oil Capitals for top spot in the Sher-Wood Division, though the Oil Caps’ do have three games in hand. In other action, the Neepawa Natives suffered their sixth straight loss after dropping a 4-2 decision against the OCN Blizzard. Luke Karakas and Drake Lindsay did the goal scoring for Neepawa.
– The Yellowhead Chiefs failed to get above the .500 mark in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League on Fridat night after falling 3-2 against the Kenora Thistles. Ashton Anderson did the goal scoring while Logan Robinson assisted on both those markers for the Chiefs. Elsewhere, the Southwest Cougars saw their losing streak hit three games with a 5-0 setback against the Winnipeg Thrashers.
– Winnipeg Jets’ defenceman Grant Clitsome is out for the season after having back surgery in California this week. Clitsome has been sidelined since December 17th. He had 12 points in 32 games this season. The Jets return to action Saturday afternoon when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
– The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Friday the signings of non-import kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, non-import wide receiver Jordan Brescacin and non-import wide receiver Taylor Renaud. Hajrullahu has spent the past five seasons with the Western Mustangs and hit 29 of 34 field goals in 2013; Brescacin spent time on the Ti-Cats practice roster in 2012 and played at Windsor for five seasons from 2008 to 2012 while the Winnipeg-born Renaud was with the Blue Bombers in training camp in 2013 before returning for his final season at Acadia.
– A topsy-turvy Continental Cup took another twist Friday night. Team North America, which suffered five defeats in the six singles contests in the afternoon, bounced back with two victories in team play and earned a tie in the other game, with all three games decided on skips’ rocks in the eighth and final end. By claiming 2.5 of the three available points, Team North America took an 11-10 lead in curling’s version of the Ryder Cup. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the WFG Continental Cup.
– Canada’s Milos Raonic is gone from the Australian Open tennis tournament, losing in the third round to Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. Raonic was the 11th seed, and Dimitrov the 22nd. Sixth-seed Roger Federer won his third round match in straight sets. On the women’s side, third seed Maria Sharapova defeated Alize Cornet 6-1, 7-6.
