Sports

Peninsula Panther Riley Braun, here seen in action earlier in November, leads the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League in scoring with 24 goals and 42 assists for a total of 66 points. (Christian J. Stewart Photography 2021/Submitted).

Peninsula Panthers lose one Friday but resume their winning ways over Kerry Park Islanders

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League team plays three games this week

Peninsula Panther Riley Braun, here seen in action earlier in November, leads the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League in scoring with 24 goals and 42 assists for a total of 66 points. (Christian J. Stewart Photography 2021/Submitted).
Passengers wait at a ticket counter at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo’s airport, Monday Nov. 29, 2021. The World Health Organisation urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Victoria athletes stranded in South Africa due to Omicron variant travel restrictions

Athletes in several sports pondering what might come next, including Olympic concerns

Passengers wait at a ticket counter at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo’s airport, Monday Nov. 29, 2021. The World Health Organisation urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Boston Bruins’ Trent Frederic (11) scuffles with Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat (53) and Luke Schenn (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Marchand sparks comeback as Bruins rally to edge Vancouver Canucks 3-2

Former Boston goalie Halak makes 39 saves in a losing effort

Boston Bruins’ Trent Frederic (11) scuffles with Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat (53) and Luke Schenn (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil and Team Canada are out of the Davis Cup finals, after losing 3-0 to Kazakhstan in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 28. Pospisil lost his singles tie. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Rick Rycroft - file photo)

Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil, Canada out of Davis Cup finals

Tennis squad falls 3-0 to Kazakhstan in Spain; relegated to Qualifiers pool

  • Nov 28, 2021
Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil and Team Canada are out of the Davis Cup finals, after losing 3-0 to Kazakhstan in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 28. Pospisil lost his singles tie. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Rick Rycroft - file photo)
Radka Malyk and Jim Peck were married by West Kelowna Warrior’s Chaplain Don Richmond during the November 27 game. (Cole Schisler photo)

Newly-weds tie the knot at West Kelowna Warriors BCHL game

Jim Peck and Radka Malyk joined together in holy matrimony at centre ice during the Nov. 27 game

Radka Malyk and Jim Peck were married by West Kelowna Warrior’s Chaplain Don Richmond during the November 27 game. (Cole Schisler photo)
A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s comeback falls just short as Mexico wins women’s soccer friendly 2-1

A spirited comeback attempt fell just short

A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Alberni Valley Bulldogs defenceman Emanuelson Charbonneau and Victoria Grizzlies forward Ollie Josephson chase the puck during Friday night’s matchup at The Q Centre. Alberni defeated Victoria 4-2. (Victoria Grizzlies/Twitter)

Victoria Grizzlies fall 4-2 against Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Friday night match-up

It was the Grizzlies second loss to the Bulldogs in three days

Alberni Valley Bulldogs defenceman Emanuelson Charbonneau and Victoria Grizzlies forward Ollie Josephson chase the puck during Friday night’s matchup at The Q Centre. Alberni defeated Victoria 4-2. (Victoria Grizzlies/Twitter)
Victoria Royals defenceman Gannon Laroque clears the puck during a game against the Everett Silvertips on Nov. 26. (Christopher Kelsall/Special to Victoria News)

Underdog Victoria Royals rain on the Silvertips’ parade with overtime win

Victoria topples best-in-the-west Everett, wins two-straight for first time all season

Victoria Royals defenceman Gannon Laroque clears the puck during a game against the Everett Silvertips on Nov. 26. (Christopher Kelsall/Special to Victoria News)
Columbus Blue Jackets’ Vladislav Gavrikov, left, knocks the puck away from Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Merzlikins stops 39 shots, Blue Jackets beat sagging Canucks 4-2

Vancouver has lost five consecutive road games

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Vladislav Gavrikov, left, knocks the puck away from Vancouver Canucks’ Bo Horvat during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Brodie Seger of Canada flies down the course during the second Men’s World Cup downhill training run in Lake Louise, Alta., on November 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Brodie Seger, Jack Crawford lead rebuilding Canadian men’s downhill ski team

Olympic Games season starts with today’s World Cup downhill in Lake Louise

Brodie Seger of Canada flies down the course during the second Men’s World Cup downhill training run in Lake Louise, Alta., on November 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island rugby club takes steps toward reconciliation

Blessing ceremony at Cowichan’s Herd Road grounds includes Tzinquaw Dancers

Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
The visiting Victoria Royals snapped a 12-game losing streak on Nov. 20 with a 3-2 win over Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre. This Friday the Royals host a U.S. team – Everett – for the first time since the pandemic first impacted Western Hockey League play. (Photo by Gary Ahuja/Langley Events Centre)

First U.S.-based team in 20 months to play Royals in Victoria

Struggling Royals host front-running Everett Silvertips on Friday night, Nov. 25

The visiting Victoria Royals snapped a 12-game losing streak on Nov. 20 with a 3-2 win over Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre. This Friday the Royals host a U.S. team – Everett – for the first time since the pandemic first impacted Western Hockey League play. (Photo by Gary Ahuja/Langley Events Centre)
An overhauled Canadian women’s rugby sevens team with a new coach opens the World Series season tomorrow in Dubai. The Canadian Press photo

Canadian women’s rugby sevens team opens new World Series season in Dubai

Jack Hanratty has been tasked with steering the team through the end of the year

An overhauled Canadian women’s rugby sevens team with a new coach opens the World Series season tomorrow in Dubai. The Canadian Press photo
University of Victoria cross country runners compete in the national championships in Quebec City this Saturday (Nov. 27). (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)

UVic cross country teams run for Canadian championship Saturday

Vikes’ men’s and women’s teams head to Quebec City for the U Sports season finale

University of Victoria cross country runners compete in the national championships in Quebec City this Saturday (Nov. 27). (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)
Chilliwack’s Cameron Johnson is one of 24 BCHL skaters added to an online all-star ballot along with eight goaltenders. (Darren Francis photo)

BCHL adds 24 skaters, 8 goaltenders to online all-star ballot

Voting is open until Tuesday to determine which six skaters and four goalies make the game

Chilliwack’s Cameron Johnson is one of 24 BCHL skaters added to an online all-star ballot along with eight goaltenders. (Darren Francis photo)
Rotary Park in North Saanich, known primarily for baseball and softball, could potentially be the site of pickleball courts. Sidney council has asked staff to contact North Saanich and other park stakeholders to investigate the possibility of placing dedicated courts in a portion of the park used for overflow parking. (Black Press Media file photo)

Play Pickleball! North Saanich baseball/softball park considered for courts

Sidney staff asked to look into possibility of sport’s future at Rotary Park

Rotary Park in North Saanich, known primarily for baseball and softball, could potentially be the site of pickleball courts. Sidney council has asked staff to contact North Saanich and other park stakeholders to investigate the possibility of placing dedicated courts in a portion of the park used for overflow parking. (Black Press Media file photo)
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel (59) can’t find a rebound in front of Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) with Tucker Poolman (5) defending during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Penguins push winning streak to 4, cruise to 4-1 win over reeling Vancouver Canucks

B.C. squad falls to 1-6-1 in last eight games

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel (59) can’t find a rebound in front of Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) with Tucker Poolman (5) defending during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Members of the Esquimalt Speedskating Club have fun in between races at a previous meet. The club hosts its own competition for young short-track skaters this Saturday morning (Nov. 27) at the Archie Browning Sports Centre. (Esquimalt Speedskating Club/Facebook)

Speedskating on tap this weekend in Esquimalt

Top young Island, Lower Mainland skaters compete at Archie Browning on Saturday morning

Members of the Esquimalt Speedskating Club have fun in between races at a previous meet. The club hosts its own competition for young short-track skaters this Saturday morning (Nov. 27) at the Archie Browning Sports Centre. (Esquimalt Speedskating Club/Facebook)
After recording only one win so far this season, the University of Victoria men’s rugby team will look to defend their national title in Kingston this week. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)

UVic men’s rugby looks to defend 2-year-old national title

Vikes open national championships against Dalhousie in Kingston on Wednesday afternoon

After recording only one win so far this season, the University of Victoria men’s rugby team will look to defend their national title in Kingston this week. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)
Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky (right) checks Montreal Canadiens Guy Lafleur during NHL action in Montreal, March 2, 1982. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Continuing to battle lung cancer, Habs great Lafleur also striving to raise awareness

Cancerous spot was discovered on Lafleur’s right lung in September 2019 during heart surgery

Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky (right) checks Montreal Canadiens Guy Lafleur during NHL action in Montreal, March 2, 1982. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz