Rebels disappointed in Esso Cup opener
The Regina Rebels didn't get the start they were looking for at the Esso Cup.
At the national women's under-18 hockey championship, the Rebels opened the tournament with a 7-6 overtime loss against Ontario's North York Storm.
Berlin Lolacher scored three goals for the Rebels, who were up 4-1 at one point in the second period. However, Regina allowed four straight, which made it 5-4, but then scored two goals in the third to go up 6-5. The Rebels then gave up a late power-play goal before losing in overtime.
On Monday, Regina faced Quebec's L'intrépide de l'outaouais, who also lost their opening game. Results were not known at press time.
WHL PLAYOFFS
The Moose Jaw Warriors are back in the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2011-12 and third time in club history.
Jagger Firkus scored a hat trick and Jackson Unger made 34 saves in a 4-2 win in Game 5 on Friday night as Moose Jaw beat the Swift Current Broncos 4-1 in the bestof-seven semifinal series.
Moose Jaw will now face the Saskatoon Blades, who swept the Red Deer Rebels in the other semifinal. The Warriors and Blades went 3-3 against each other in six regularseason meetings.
Game 1 and 2 will go Friday and Saturday in Saskatoon with Game 3 and 4 set for April 30 and May 1, respectively, in Moose Jaw.
In the WHL Western Conference final, the Prince George Cougars will battle the Portland Winterhawks.
SJHL PLAYOFFS
The Melfort Mustangs are off to a strong start in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship series against the Flin Flon Bombers.
The Mustangs won 9-2 in Game 1 on Friday night and followed that up with a 4-1 victory in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead in the best-ofseven matchup. It's the first time Flin Flon has lost in this year's playoffs.
The Bombers, who finished first in the SJHL this year with a 449-3 record, will look to rebound in Game 3 on Wednesday night in Melfort. The Mustangs, who finished in second place this year with a 38-14-4 record, will also host Game 4 on Thursday.
HOCKEY CANADA
Whitewood product Reese Hamilton has been named to Team Canada's roster for the upcoming IIHF Under-18 World Hockey Championships.
It will be the second time Hamilton has worn the Maple Leaf this season as he also played for Canada Red at the World U17 Hockey Challenge.
In his first WHL season with the Calgary Hitmen, the 17-year-old defenceman notched eight goals and 23 assists in 42 games.
Saskatoon's Roger Mcqueen is the only other Saskatchewan product on the roster. Saskatoon's Berkly Catton was invited but is unable to participate.
The world U18s are set to be played from April 25 to May 5 in Finland. Canada will open the tournament against Sweden on April 25. Last year, Canada claimed bronze over Slovakia after losing to Sweden in the semifinal. Canada's last gold-medal game was in 2021 when former Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard was on the team.
WATER POLO
Saskatchewan's U17 girls water polo team is NCL Western Conference Finals champions after defeating Calgary's Renegades Black 14-9 on Sunday in the gold medal match in Saskatoon.
Riley Milne led the way with five goals for Saskatchewan while Natalia Blazevic had four and Jennika Linthicum had three. Taya Bumpas made 11 saves in the win.
In the U17 boys division, Team Saskatchewan lost 8-7 to the Pacific Storm in the bronze medal game.
Both teams are eligible to compete at nationals next month.