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The Dauphin Kings will enter the playoffs with points in their final six games of the regular season.

Wrapping up their 58 game schedule on Friday, Dauphin earned a single point in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Winkler Flyers. Trent Sambrook scored his 11th of the season and it stood up as the winner for the Flyers.

Dmytro Kubrytskyi was outstanding for Dauphin as he turned away 49 saves and he gave Dauphin a chance to win the game.

Despite the loss, Dauphin won five of their last six games. Aaron Neal and Sam Boldt did the scoring for Dauphin while Dalton Andrew and Carter Dittmer also scored for the Flyers.

Dauphin will now play the Swan Valley Stampeders in the first round of the playoffs and by virtue of finishing first in the West, the Stampeders have earned home ice advantage. The series will begin next weekend.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 18, 2023 - 9:51 pm

Two curling teams that play out of the Dauphin Curling Club are off to the big dance.

First up, Team Tiffany Armstrong scored a single point in the eighth end to win their qualifying game, 5-4. The foursome includes Morgan Kropelnicki, Stacy Sime, and Tamara Kolida. The team won two of their three games.

Meanwhile, on the men's side, Team Kyle Forsyth is heading back to the provincials.

Forsyth and his foursome ran the table and looked very impressive in doing so as they scored 14 points and gave up just three. Forsyth was joined by Jarvis Whyte, Trent Hill, and Cody Hill.

Both teams have now qualifed for the Curling Club Provincial Championships later this year. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 18, 2023 - 8:46 pm

The 2023 Centennial Cup will be played from May 11 to 21 at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie.

Hosted by the Terriers, the event welcomes the top 10 junior teams from coast to coast, with the exception of the British Columbia Hockey League as they are no longer a part of Hockey Canada.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and you can get a tournament pass for just $260 which includes all 25 round-robin games and playoff games. 

"It's an amazing deal, that price saves you well over $200 when compared to what walk-up prices will be," said Cody Buhler. 

Games begin daily at 11:30 a.m. The Terriers understand that won't work for everyone, so they are adding a new ticket package to the fold. The "evening" package includes every night game which will include either Portage or the champions from Manitoba. The cost for this package is $180 and it also includes all playoff games.

"We understand many people won't be able to make afternoon games, so we made a new package that will suit what we believe to be many people," offered Buhler. 

If you're interested in tickets for the event, head to Centennial Cup. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 18, 2023 - 9:00 am

Madden Murray’s time with the Parkland U18 Rangers came to an end on February 18 as he recorded one assist in a 12-4 win against the Norman Northstars.

Including last year’s run to the second round of the playoffs in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League, Murray played 93 games with his home region team, a team he grew up wanting to always play on. He posted 58 regular season points in 86 games and he added one goal in seven playoff games.

While the Rangers failed to make the playoffs this year, Murray is very appreciative of the opportunity he was given to play with the team over the past couple of seasons.

“It was super fun, a lot of my best friends I made played with that team,” said Murray. “I became a more complete player, and the coaching staff always kept me working hard. I really enjoyed the past two years with them.”

During the season, Madden signed his Letter of Intent to join the Dauphin Kings in time for the 2023-24 season. It was a great day for the program as one of their top prospects committed.

Then this past Saturday, the Kings had a chance to see what the future will look like, and things look extremely promising. Murray made his MJHL debut with his hometown team as they ultimately downed the Portage Terriers, 4-3, in a shootout.

Murray played a very solid game and despite it being his first junior game and it being against one of the best in the country, he did not look out of place at all.

“It was amazing, it was the most enjoyable game I have ever played in my life,” said Murray. “I also had the opportunity to share the moment with Havyril Simchuk — who I played with on the Rangers — so that was really special. It was a night that I will never forget.”

Madden will continue to train on and off the ice as he prepares for fall camp with Dauphin in September.

“I can’t wait for next year, that one game has me feeling really good ahead of it,” ended Murray.

Get to know Madden:

Who is your favourite NHL team? Edmonton Oilers

Who is your favourite NHL player? Jack Hughes

What drives you to compete and succeed? To be at my best

What is one of your main hobbies? I love basketball

What is your favourite movie? Casino

If you could put together a concert lineup, who would it be? Morgan Wallen and Drake

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 17, 2023 - 10:00 am

The Swan Valley Stampeders have won the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's MGEU West Division.

Trey Sauder scored once, Steven Arp had two assists as the Stampeders doubled up Virden on Thursday, 6-3. With the win, Swan Valley earned their 35th win of the season and they will try to make it 36 on Friday when they host Virden in their final home game of the regular season.

The Stampeders have now locked up home ice advantage for the first round. They can either play Dauphin, OCN, or Virden. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 17, 2023 - 9:30 am

In the MGEU East Division, it will be the Portage Terriers against the Niverville Nighthawks while the Steinbach Pistons battle the Winkler Flyers in the first round.

Both series are slated to begin next weekend and will be going with the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format. 

Here are the schedules:

MGEU EAST – (1) Portage Terriers vs (4) Niverville Nighthawks

MGEU EAST – (2) Steinbach Pistons vs (3) Winkler Flyers

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 16, 2023 - 4:35 pm

Jaida Chartrand-Flett has already earned a silver medal on the biggest stage.

In her rookie season with Dakota College at Bottineau last season, Chartrand-Flett helped the team to a second-place finish at the national championships in St. Louis. Playing their conference schedule in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the Lady Jacks are again back at the nationals this year and have unfinished business.

The team arrived in Boston earlier this week after they won 11 of their 19 games. It was a different season for the team as they played several games against ACHA Division 1 opponents, which has them prepared for this week.

Chartrand-Flett and the rest of the team will play a three-game round-robin as they go up against Central Michigan on Thursday afternoon, Niagara University on Friday afternoon before wrapping up round-robin play with a game on Saturday morning against Villanova. 

"We have been working really hard these past couple weeks on the ice and off the ice to get ready," said Chartrand-Flett. "We're very excited to get going especially because we have a few rookies on our team, so I'm happy that they're going to go through this experience as well."

Jaida had one power-play goal this year paired with one assist. Getting to participate in the nationals means even more to Jaida because of where she came from. Living in Dauphin in the summer with her family, Jaida is also a Pine Creek First Nation member.

So when Chartrand-Flett hits the ice for the team's first game on Thursday, she will be playing for everyone on the First Nation.

"A lot of people from there don't really get an opportunity like this," ended Chartrand-Flett. "Also being an indigenous athlete, I think it's a huge opportunity for me. I get to represent my team and my community in Boston, I certainly don't take anything for granted."

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 16, 2023 - 9:24 am

He was just 23 years old when he stepped out onto the ice to officiate his first junior hockey game.

It was September of 1997 and Height was in Winkler for a preseason game, one that had him full of nerves as he took his officiating career to the next level.

"I was an inexperienced young official, so I was nervous for that first game," said Height. "There was still a lot of speed even back then."

Height has continued to officiate anywhere from 20 to 25 games a year since that first game in Winkler which includes many games officiated during Dauphin Kings games at Credit Union Place. Height's fondest moments included just being on the ice for a junior game.

"I had the best seat in the house every night that I did a game, that's always a memory I'll have," offered Height. "To see all the great coaches over the years and great players that have played in this league as well." 

On Saturday, the chapter of Dave's "Junior" officiating book officially closed as he officiated his final junior hockey game. Height announced prior to the game that he was retiring from the junior ranks after 25+ years of doing it.

Seconds after the announcement from Al Gaines, Dave received a standing ovation from the amazing crowd on hand and it was a moment that he will cherish for the rest of his life.

"I really appreciate that I was recognized by the faithful fans," ended Height. "It was a surreal feeling, I'm still quite emotional about it right now."

Dave will continue to officiate minor hockey games next season.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 15, 2023 - 9:00 am

The Dauphin Kings are heading to the playoffs.

After Waywayseecappo lost Tuesday night against Virden, the Kings are guaranteed a top four spot in the West.

The Wolverines; meanwhile, have lost six of their last eight games and they are eliminated from playoff contention. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 14, 2023 - 10:54 pm

Montana Jubenvill was the overtime hero as the Grand Plains U18 Ice Dogs tied up the finals.

Playing in the Rural Manitoba Female Hockey League, Grand Plains won game two against Birtle, 3-2, in double-overtime as the championship series is now tied at a game apiece. Jubenvill also scored once in regulation while Caitlin Fillion was outstanding in net.

Also scoring for Grand Plains was KC McDonald and game three will be played at 5:15 on Saturday night in Grandview. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Mar 14, 2023 - 12:30 pm