Bombers Nichols Will Start On Saturday!

Things just got a lot sweeter around Bomberville.

Yesterday Matt Nichols was pulled off the six-game injured list and returned to practice. Today, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced that Nichols will indeed be the starting quarterback this weekend when the Blue & Gold take on the BC Lions at Investors Group Field.

Adarius Bowman noted that it's a great feeling to have Matt back in the lineup.

You can hear Nichols return to action on Saturday right here on 730CKDM with kickoff set for 7:30 as we're a proud member of the Blue Bomber Radio Network.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 5, 2018 - 12:53 pm

The Swan Valley Stampeders weren't a team that scored a whole lot last season, but that could change going forward with a recent signing of theirs.

Carson Pawlenchuk from Alberta will be joining the Stampeders this fall to begin his junior hockey career.

The 17-year-old from Ardrossan, Alberta is excited to become a Stampeder.

"I'm definitely quite excited," said Pawlenchuk. "It's an honour to be able to play with them next season. It's also a nice opportunity to move out and move on to the next stage of my life. I can't wait for it."

"The Swan Valley scouts reached out to me, and said they liked the way I played," he added. "They said it would be a good opportunity for me to come in and make a difference."

Carson is a 6'1" forward, and he's coming off a career year with the Strathcona Warriors who play in the Northern Alberta Midget Hockey League. In 32 games, he scored 32 goals and added 26 assists which led his team and entire league as well.

Out of several options around junior hockey, why did Carson choose Swan Valley?

"Well, it's more of a small-town and it's not as big as some Alberta towns," said Pawlenchuk. "They've committed quite a few players to the next level this past year, and I think I'll have a great chance to develop myself, and hopefully make the next step in a few years."

Hopping into the MJHL as a rookie is never easy, and Carson knows it won't be, but he figures he'll get figure it out quickly.

"It'll be a little difficult off the start for sure," he added. "It'll just take a little to get used to the speed, and the size of guys that are a couple years older than me."

"But, it should only take a couple games to get used to it," said Pawlenchuk.

Carson plans to work extra hard, and use his offensive ability to get through the first couple games, and eventually shine in the MJHL.

"I just have to work really hard, and I'm sure that'll end up paying off in the offensive zone," he added. "I have a pretty good shot, and I like to use it whenever I have the chance."

AUDIO: Carson Pawlenchuk.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 5, 2018 - 12:44 pm

Dauphin's William Hlady's plan for the summer was to play for the Dauphin Brewers and then head to play college ball for the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers.

Now, he did start the summer with the Brewers, but now the 18-year-old is going to finish the summer in the Western Major Baseball League as a part of the Melville Millionaires.

Will received a call over the weekend from the Millionaires organization asking if he wanted to join the team, and it was a no-brainer for the hard-throwing right-hander.

"It's going to be a great opportunity to play against players from out West," said Hlady. "All of the teams are filled with college baseball players, and that's what I want to play against. It's going to be a lot of fun."

With the WMBL being strictly a summer league (regular season is June-July and playoffs are August), Hlady will have plenty of time to adapt to the league and pitch against some top-notch hitters before he heads back to Iowa Wesleyan for his second season.

"It's a great chance to see some really good hitters, and pitch against them," he added. "A lot of the kids are playing really high ball, so it's going to be tougher, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

"I'm expecting the best of the best to be coming out there against me," said Hlady. "Things I could get away with pitching for the Brewers, I won't be able to get away with Melville."

Despite being a rookie in the league, and joining somewhat late in the season, Hlady is confident he has the stuff he needs to succeed.

"You always want to go out there thinking you have your best stuff with you at all times," said Hlady. "Obviously, it's not going to happen every time because that's how baseball goes. But, I'm confident in myself for sure."

Will's also looking forward to travelling around the country playing ball, and meeting some new friends... something he's gotten very used to over the past couple years.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 5, 2018 - 9:48 am

Here is the July 4 scoreboard.

Grandview Lakers beat Parkland Midget AAA, 9-2.

Santa Clara League:

Portage improved to a league-best 13-1 with a 1-0 win against Carberry.

Neepawa stayed ahead of Austin in the standings with a win on their home field against them.

Manitoba Mid-Amateur Golf Championships:

Chad Facey fired a seven over, and is now 11 over heading into the final round. That has him in a tie for 16th, with the top 11 earning a spot to Nationals.

Manitoba Women's Amateur Golf Championships:

Swan River's Coral Zamzow fired a +23 today and is in 22nd place heading into her final round.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 4, 2018 - 10:52 pm

A local celebrity is coming back to the Parkland to tee it up in the Grand Plains Celebrity Golf Classic on July 14 at the Gilbert Plains Country Club.

CTV News and Roblin's Josh Crabb will once again be back at the event. The Roblin native is no stranger to the event, as his five-some won it two years ago.

"Since I've won it recently, I was asked to come back to try and create some magic again," he added. "There are some pretty good golfers this year, so I'm not sure if that'll happen."

"But, it's going to be an amazing day regardless, and I'm looking forward to supporting the cause," said Crabb.

This will be Josh's third straight year teeing it up in the event, and he can't wait for it to get started.

"It's right close to where I grew up, so it's a great feeling to be able to help Grand Plains Minor Hockey and the Gilbert Plains Country Club... it's definitely special," said Crabb. "I always paid attention to the Grandview Comets, so it's going to be nice to get out and see some of the guys, and just have fun out there."

Heading into the event, Josh says he hasn't played as much as he hoped to this season, but he'll be ready.

"I got out early, but I haven't recently," he added. "I can throw in some big shots here and there, but I'm not sure how consistent I'll be. But, I can guarantee I'll give it my all, and bring my A game."

Want to tee it up with the Roblin native, who's a past Champion? You could get the chance by signing up today at 548-3030, or by heading to Golf With A Local Champion.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 4, 2018 - 11:05 am

The Manitoba Mid-Amateur kicked off yesterday at the Falcon Lake Golf Course and Chad Facey is in a good spot heading into the second round.

He fired an opening round 4 over 76. Facey picked up two birdies, and six bogies.

"I thought I had a really good day out there," said Facey. "I hit the ball better then I have in a few weeks. Putter was a little bit cold... lipped out a few times, and had a couple bad three putts."

"The score was a little higher than I wanted, but I definitely didn't shoot myself out of contention," he added.

Facey enters today's round eight-strokes back of the lead after Justin McDonald was red hot yesterday. Despite being eight-back of the lead, Facey's only four behind second place, and he knows he has what it takes to get back in it.

"The mindset is just one shot at a time," said Facey. "I can only worry about the shots that are in front of me, and grind out another good round. You can't get too aggressive on this course, and that was one heck of a round from Justin yesterday."

"It's just about taking advantage when I have the chances," he added.

Chad isn't adding any pressure to himself heading into this afternoon when he tees off in the fifth final group

"I'm here trying to have a fun time, and it's been a lot of fun so far," he added. "It's just about going out there and shooting the best round that I can. I'll play how I know I can."

"My ultimate goal is to make the top-11, so I get my spot in the National Mid-Amateur Championships.

Right now, Facey is in a tie for 11th spot.

His tee time is at 2:22.

AUDIO: Chad Facey.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 4, 2018 - 9:57 am

Here is the July 3 scoreboard.

Dauphin Competitive Slopitch League:

Balloholics beat Guns N’ Hoses, 16-6.

Catalyst Credit Union Brewmeisters beat Blackbeard, 20-8.

Denray Tire beat Aspen Insurance Swingers, 15-3.

Showtime beat Strilkiwski Contracting Crushers, 35-13.

Cartridge Outlet Danes Dingers beat Giants, 7-0.

Manitoba Mid-Amateur Golf Championships:

Chad Facey shot a 4 over to sit eight strokes behind the lead after one round. It’s a three round tournament.

Manitoba Women’s Amateur Golf Championships:

Coral Zamzow from Swan River shot an opening round 22 over in the first of three rounds.

Santa Clara League:

Minnedosa beat Plumas, 5-3.

Southeast Senior League:

Langenburg beat Back Forty, 9-3.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 3, 2018 - 11:47 pm

Thousands of people in the Parkland spent their weekend on the beaches, at Countryfest or spending time with their loved ones, but Dauphin Kings Prospect Jack Oleksiuk spent his winning a Gold Medal at the U-16 World Junior Ball Hockey Championships.

"It was absolutely amazing and life-changing," said Oleksiuk from the Czech Republic. "The fans there were just crazy. We're World Champions like it's hard to even put into words how I feel right now."

Jack, the younger brother of current King Kyle Oleksiuk suited up for Team Canada West at the event, and the team went into full-on cruise mode. Overall they went 5-0, which included beating the host Czech Republic team in the semifinal.

"The Czech Republic fans were crazy, like totally nuts," he added. "Just an amazing atmosphere overall."

In the final, Oleksiuk and the rest of the Canucks beat Slovakia, 3-1 to claim gold.

"I'd say Slovakia was the toughest opponent we faced," he added. "Playing Czech in the semis wasn't easy, but I think Slovakia was deeper."

Jack scored two times in the five games and added one helper.