Steve Mullin and Mike Rey scored two goals each as the Morden Bombers downed the Winkler Royals 6-4 in the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League's first game of 2023. Cole Penner and Derek Holenski also scored for the Bombers who lead 4-0 after the first period and 5-1 after 40 minutes. Jordan Peters, Remi Laurencelle, Chad Unrau and Caleb Suderman replied for the hometown Royals. Morden (6-3-0-1) moved within one point of the third place Ile des Chenes Northstars. Winkler (5-5-1) is one point back of the fifth place Red River Wild.


The Winkler Flyers dropped a 4-2 decision to the MJHL's East Division leading Steinbach Pistons at the T.G. Smith Centre. Kyle Crewe and Trent Sambrook did the goal scoring for the Flyers who also lost 4-2 to the Pistons on New Year's Eve. Winkler's Malachi Klassen gave up three goals on 11 shots before being replaced by Aidan Comeau 1:58 into the second period after Kirk Mullen scored to give Steinbach a 3-1 lead. 


Daniel Hauser of the Winnipeg Ice has been named the Western Hockey League's Goaltender of the Week. Hauser posted a 1-1-0-0 record across two starts last week to go along with a 1.01 goals-against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout. The 18-year-old from Chestermere, Alta. began his week by turning aside 21 shots Wednesday, December 28 as the Ice dropped a 3-1 decision to the Warriors in Moose Jaw. Hauser turned in a 23-save shutout performance Friday, December 30, helping Winnipeg blank the Saskatoon Blades 2-0. With the win, Hauser retained a share of the lead among WHL netminders with his 20th victory of the season. Originally selected by the Ice in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Draft, Hauser boasts a career 61-5-2-0 record, 2.24 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 70 regular season appearances. 


Canada will face the United States and Sweden will meet Czechia in the semifinals of the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship today in Halifax. Canada has won four straight since dropping their preliminary round opener to Czechia on Boxing Day. The Canadians shaded Slovakia 4-3 in overtime in the quarterfinals on Monday. The Americans finished first in Group B after posting a 3-1 record and bounced Germany 11-1 in the quarterfinals. 


Sam Gagner scored the go-ahead goal with 5:40 left in the third period as the Winnipeg Jets edged the Calgary Flames 3-2 at Canada Life Centre. Brenden Dillon with his first of the season and Josh Morrissey also scored for the Jets. Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves. The Jets (24-13-1) have won three in a row and will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.


The Toronto Argonauts have parted ways with Brandon Banks. The veteran receiver had 37 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns in his only season with the CFL club. He helped the Argos win the Grey Cup after finishing a runner-up four previous times with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.