Local Sports

Let the provincial journeys begin. The draws are out and some of the games are scheduled and now the most exciting part of the hockey season is here. Of the 20 teams entered in senior D provincials, three are in the Northwest region of the province.

The Battlefords Midget Stars were looking for some redemption against the Prince Albert Mintos Wednesday, but that wasn't the case at the Civic Centre.

Mitch Berg scored the game-winning goal Wednesday when the Battlefords North Stars faced off against the Melfort Mustangs. Fortunately for the Battlefords they picked him up in a trade last week.

The search for volleyball gold led the two North Battleford Comprehensive High School senior teams in different directions, but both prevailed with gold medals from their tournament play on the weekend.

The board has been set. Over the weekend, eight more teams qualified for the SaskPower Provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts, to be hosted by the Humboldt Curling Club, January 25-29.

It was just their luck that the Battlefords North Stars had to face two hot teams over the weekend.

The Redwings started their provincial AA play Tuesday on home ice at the Turtleford Arena. Their first opponent was Prince Albert. The Midwest Redwings record against Prince Albert this season is 2-0, but both were close matches.

The Battlefords North Stars players were on the auction block Saturday night. No, the North Stars weren't being traded, as the trade deadline had passed earlier that week.

The Ice Wolves hadn't scored a goal at the Civic Centre in two previous games this season, but struck first Tuesday against the North Stars. Zac Ashdown scored on a two-on-one with Graham Smerek on La Ronge's first shot.

The Battlefords AAA Sharks tried to kept their games on the weekend close, but returned home without a win after facing the sixth place Melville Prairie Fire. The Sharks faced off with Melville losing 5-2 and 6-1 on the road trip.