Local Sports

The race for the top spot in the Canadian Tire Thursday Night Open League at the Northland Power Curling Centre heated up with five skips putting their teams in a tie for first place.

Simon Hofley stopped all 36 shots faced to pick up his first shutout of the year as the Flin Flon Bombers defeated the Battlefords North Stars 2-0 Tuesday night at the Civic Centre. It was Hofley's eighth win of the season.

Four different Meota Combines scored in their 4-2 victory over the Silvertips in Shellbrook Tuesday night in SPHL playoff action. The Combines now lead the best-of-five series 2-1. The Combines had a quick start out of the gate.

The Cut Knife Colts have advanced to the semifinals of the SPHL playoffs after sweeping their best-of-five series with the Glaslyn North Stars Cut Knife began the playoffs at home with a 10-0 rout of Glaslyn North Stars Friday night.

Looking at the scoreboards after the first three ends, half the teams were scoreless when the New Horizons were curling Feb. 4. Each of the losing teams were down three, except for Rod Forester's rink who got that much in the first end.

The John Paul II Crusaders junior boys basketball team defeated the North Battleford Comprehensive High Vikings 50-35 Feb. 8 to become the Battle West District Champions for the 2013-14 season.

The Battlefords North Stars winning streak ended at 13 games Saturday night at the Civic Centre. Reigning SJHL player of the month Austin Daae scored in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Estevan Bruins a wild 7-6 win over the North Stars.

Six different Beaver Blues scored as Battleford opened the 2014 SPHL playoffs with a 6-3 win over the Spiritwood Timberwolves Saturday night at the Battleford Arena. The Beaver Blues opened the scoring early in the first period.

Jake McMillen's two goals clinched the Battlefords North Stars 5-2 win against the Nipawin Hawks Friday night at the Civic Centre. It was the North Stars' 13th straight win. The Hawks had the early chance to open the scoring in the first.

Brendan Canaday scored with 4:12 left in the third period to put the Silvertips in the lead for good as Shellbrook defeated the Meota Combines 7-5 at the Civic Centre Sunday night.