STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
P.E.I.’s feminine Canada Video games hockey crew attracted a sold-out crowd at MacLauchlan Area, and the followers performed an element within the house crew’s additional time 3-2 win over Newfoundland in Pool C motion on March 1.
Petra Klimes, daughter of former Summerside Western Caps star Jan Klimes, scored for P.E.I., whereas Jessica Mercer, sister of New Jersey Devils standout Brendon Mercer, tallied for Newfoundland.
Head coach Jess Cameron needed to be happy with the crew’s 3-0 report, which despatched the P.E.I. squad right into a qualifying sport on March 2 towards Manitoba with the winner transferring to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, that sport confirmed the hole between Pool C and the opposite divisions is big. It was 10-0 for Manitoba after two durations, eliminating the P.E.I. membership from any medal rivalry. Nonetheless, P.E.I. did bag three wins, and performed in a inserting sport on March 3.
The ringette crew didn’t win a medal, however their impressed play in Week 1 was the discuss of the Island for just a few days. For guys like Mike James and Mike Devine, who spent the final decade or so selling and rising the sport, P.E.I.’s robust exhibiting will need to have been gratifying. Francois Caron, no stranger to the sporting scene right here, did an awesome job as P.E.I. head coach along with his membership making it to the bronze medal sport, dropping 5-4 in additional time. The crew completed fourth total, the very best end ever for ringette.
Learn extra
NHL
With the Stanley Cup playoffs on the horizon, a variety of groups have improved over the previous week or so. The New York Rangers have added Patrick Kane and Vladislav Tarasenko to an already high-powered offence and should now be thought-about one of many favourites to return out of the robust eight-team Japanese Convention. The Rangers are more likely to nonetheless end third within the Metropolitan division trailing Carolina and the New Jersey Devils, however the added scoring will likely be worrisome for East rivals.
The New Jersey Devils, who regarded nice in beating the Rangers just lately and have crushed New York two of three, tremendously improved their very own fortunes by buying and selling for Timo Meier, the perfect participant on the open market. Meier is a 35-goal man and at 26, 6’1, 220 with velocity and grit, he suits in properly with a Devils membership loaded with expertise and velocity, together with celebrity Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, who has been sizzling of late. Former Charlottetown Islander standout Ryan Graves can also be with the Devils and is among the many NHL leaders in plus-minus whereas Doug Hamilton anchors the defence with 57 factors this season.
The primary-place Bruins didn’t want a lot assist, however they added battle-tested, rugged defenceman Dimitri Orlov, in addition to nasty ahead Garnet Hathaway at 6’3, 210, who scored 14 targets final season with Washington. The Bruins traded for one more huge ahead with grit in high-scoring Tyler Bertuzzi, who tallied 30 final yr with the Detroit Crimson Wings however has been injured a lot of this yr.
Toronto Maple Leafs followers must be smiling because the crew has improved their blueline immensely with the latest additions of Jake McCabe, Ulf Gustafsson and rugged Luke Schenn, plus ahead Sam Lafferty including measurement and grit, a should for achievement within the Japanese Convention.
Condolences
The previous week has been a tricky one on the P.E.I. sports activities scene as we stated goodbye to fashionable Ocean 100 radio persona Kerri Wynne MacLeod. She was a gifted singer in her early years earlier than becoming a member of Ocean the place she had an enormous morning following; she was an individual you want to instantly, a real loving particular person. She was a well-recognized determine at Crimson Shores Charlottetown racetrack particularly Gold Cup and Saucer night time when she launched the starters along with her traditional rendition of the “Island Hymn.” To all linked to this excellent girl, our condolences.
David Reid was finest often known as a goaltender in his early Eighties junior hockey days with these standout Sherwood Parkdale Metros which included the Currie boys, Doug and Dave, Ron Carragher, Callie MacPhail, Robert Gallant, Steve Gallant and others. After his junior days, he performed at UPEI, and I recall the night time he began for the Panthers towards the nationwide hockey crew from China. He additionally performed for varied native senior golf equipment and all the time – win or free – he had a smile on his face, he liked the sport. Blessed with monumental folks abilities and an awesome persona, he was by no means down within the dumps and was a deal with to be round. To his spouse, Corrine, daughters Janna (Ryan Kowalski) and Rebecca (Todd Gregory), mother Marion and all linked to this gentleman, our condolences.
Harness racing
No stay racing at Crimson Shores right now however loads of simulcast racing from up-country tracks. At Mohawk Raceway final Saturday, James MacDonald bagged six winners, together with the $48,000 Open the place So A lot Extra received in 1:49:3 with Wheels on Hearth and Saulsbrook Victor 2-3. Woodmere Stealdeal, a detailed fifth, charted in 1:50:1.
… Jj Xavier, (by Tobago Cays) one among Jamie MacKinley’s, stepped to a pointy 1:52:2 in a $19,000 occasion for coach Tim Shive.
… At Yonkers final week, Time to Dance was second in 1:53:1 with a handbag of $24,0000 whereas the Robin Burke-owned trotter Saulsbrook Arturo received an $18,000 trot in 1:57:4.
… Don MacRae’s Delitefulcatherin was third in 1:52:2 Open Mares class.
… At Flamboro final Sunday night time, Brett McDonald posted a driving triple whereas ageless Paul MacKenzie hit the win circle as soon as.
… At Western Truthful, Woodmere Rollnpop posted a simple 1:57.
Fred MacDonald’s column seems each Saturday in The Guardian. He may be reached at [email protected].