The Winkler Royals are the first team to advance to round two of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League playoffs. Aaron Lewadniuk scored twice and Jayme Janzen made 35 saves as Winkler downed Red River 4-1 in St. Jean. Remi Laurencelle and Keith Grondin also scored for the Royals who swept the best-of-five quarterfinal in three straight. Daniel Taillefer had the lone goal for the Wild. The Warren Mercs scored five second period goals en route to a 7-3 victory over the Hawks in Notre Dame. Braydon MacDonald had a pair of goals for the Mercs who lead that series two games to none. Dexter Kuczek had a four-point night with a goal and three assists. Wayde Johannesson, Kyle Lundale, Michael Lazo and Kyle Luschinski also scored for the visitors. Jeff Michiels, Tyler Van Deynze and Eli Carels replied for the Hawks. Game three goes Saturday in Warren. 


The Miller Aces have advanced to the Zone 4 High School Hockey League semifinals. Griffin Hildebrand scored twice and Reece Fehr had a goal and three helpers as Miller defeated Portage Collegiate 7-2 at Stride Place. Braison Penner, Kenyon Hildebrandt, Jaxson Heide and Tyson Froese also scored for the Aces who swept the best-of-three quarterfinal in two straight. Tyson Chandler and Carson Inman replied for the Trojans.


The Brandon Wheat Kings dropped a 4-2 decision to the Warriors in Moose Jaw. Jayden Wiens and Caleb Hadland did the goal scoring for the Wheat Kings. Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk of Dominion City had a pair of assists for Moose Jaw.


The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released American fullback Damian Jackson. The Las Vegas native played college football for Nebraska and Buffalo.


Defending champion Randy Neufeld of La Salle, Stan Struthers of Pembina and former champion Murray Warren of Brandon have 2-0 records heading into day two of the Provincial Masters Curling Championships in Portage. Judy Colwell of East St. Paul has a 2-0 record in the women's championship. The Provincial Mixed Doubles championship begins tonight at the Beausejour Curling Club. Kadriana Lott & Colton Lott are the defending champions. 


Four-time champion Kerri Einarson and Manitoba champion Kaitlyn Lawes will play on tonight's opening draw of the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary. Jennifer Jones, who is looking for a record seventh Scotties title, and Kate Cameron play their round robin openers Saturday afternoon. Jones and Cameron qualified based on Canadian Team Ranking System standings.