Doug Zywina
Clippers capture provincial bronze on home court
The Dauphin Clippers senior girls volleyball team entered the Manitoba High School Athletic Conference AAA Volleyball Provincials as the third seed and that is exactly where they finished, capturing the bronze medal on their home court, Saturday.
Dauphin opened the tournament in the power pool, with the other top four teams. When all was said and done, the Clippers came out in fourth place, losing to Westgate (25-14, 14-25 and 12-15), Neelin (16-25 and 18-25) and Linden Christian (25-23, 22-25 and 6-15).
All four teams earned automatic berths into the quarterfinals.
That is when Dauphin faced Balmoral Hall, earning a 25-20 and 26-24 victory.
In the semifinals, the Clippers again faced Linden Christian, losing, 18-25 and 21-25.
In the bronze medal game, Dauphin defeated Westgate, 17-25, 25-22 and 15-13.
Clippers coach Chris Wolfenden was proud of his team and what they accomplished on their home court.
After losing the first set, Wolfenden told his team to just have fun.
“And they just rallied around that. It didn’t matter where we were in the match. They were dancing on the bench and they kept it light, which meant they were loose in the match and they were able to play free. And they played freely and did awesome. So I’m proud of them, for sure,” he said.
In the final two sets, the Clippers stepped up their blocking game, scoring several points off blocks.
Check this week's Dauphin Herald for the full story!
Clippers battle Vikings
William Miner looks to make a play from behind the net in Friday’s 3-2 Clippers win over the Vincent Massey Vikings. Ronin Mouck, Liam Chartrand and Cody Zurba scored for Dauphin, while Owen Chubka made 18 saves to earn the win in goal.
The two teams met again, Sunday in Brandon, where a four-goal second period lifted the Vikings to a 7-4 win.
Tyron Sweetman, Zurba, Mouck and Jesse Hockridge had Dauphin’s goals and Chubka made 41 saves in the loss. The Clippers remain in first place with an 8-2-1-0 record, one point ahead of Vincent Massey.
Ranger’s resiliency earns a split with the Thrashers
Hockey fans who like a lot of goals would have been happy with the two games this weekend between the Parkland Rangers and Winnipeg Thrashers.
The two teams combined for 24 goals as the Thrashers scored a 10-5 win on Saturday at Credit Union Place, with the Rangers winning Sunday’s contect, 5-4.
The Rangers had a 4-2 lead after the first period on Saturday.
But Winnipeg scored in the opening minute of the second period to open the flood gates as they would score six times in the frame en route to the victory.
On Sunday, Parkland held a 4-2 lead going into the third period only to see the Thrashers tie the game by the 8:39 mark.
Unlike Saturday, the Rangers were able to rebound, netting the go-ahead goal with 2:14 left to play on a goal from Quentin Fisk and they hung on for the victory.
Rangers head coach Tyler Carefoot said Sunday’s win was a nice way to rebound from the loss the night before.
“Take away the second period of (Saturday’s game) and I think we deserved to win five out of six periods. So for that, I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the fellas,” he said.
The team has been focusing on keeping things simple, not forcing passes and being aware of where they are on the ice.
“And I think our execution to the details for the last five games has been tremendous. So all credit to the boys right now,” Carefoot said.
Read more in this week's Herald!
Clippers teams excited, ready for provincials
Dauphin is set to host the Manitoba High School Athletic Association AAA girls and boys volleyball provincials, this weekend at Credit Union Place.
Twenty-four teams will be competing for a provincial title. The last time provincials were held in Dauphin, the Clippers senior girls were crowned provincial champions.
In the most recent Top 10 rankings, the Dauphin Clippers senior girls were ranked fourth in the province.
Coach Chris Wolfenden feels the team is ready for provincials.
“We had a team function (Thursday) night and I think the excitement level is really high, for sure, with the girls. We’ve had some really good weeks of preparation. So I think we are ready, actually,” he said. “I think it’s a group that’s feeling confident and excited to play the game together and achieve something that hasn’t been there in the past. So I think the girls are excited about it.”
The team has been practicing three days a week and competed in six tournaments, which has allowed them to improve since the start of the season.
“So they put in a lot of time. I think the girls are understanding all of the concepts and team systems so much better now that they don’t have to think about those things. They can be free in the matches and be themselves. So the girls definitely improved a lot,” Wolfenden said.
The tournament will take place in a different venue than the teams are used to, often competing in school gymnasiums. But Wolfenden doesn’t think there will be much of an adjustment to playing in such a large venue.
Get the full story in this week's Dauphin Herald, which includes a special centre spread for the tournament!
Supporting a friend
Above, Colton McLeod, 13, performs his rendition of Steve Earle’s Copperhead Road to open Bruce-a-Palooza, Sunday at the Watson Arts Centre.
The event was a musical tribute and fund-raiser for Bruce Leperre, top, whose support of grassroots music is well known throughout the music industry.
Leperre was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and the funds will go towards covering mounting costs not covered by the health system, as well as allowing him to live in his home for as long as possible.
Clippers set to host provincials
With Dauphin hosting the Manitoba High School Athletic Association AAA volleyball provincials at the end of the month, the Clippers senior girls and boys had a chance to earn their way into the tournament at the interzone tournaments, this past weekend.
The girls were in Brandon, where five teams were looking to book their trip to Dauphin for provincials.
The Clippers earned an automatic spot in the semifinals, where they bested the Virden Golden Bears, 25-19, 25-21 and 25-22.
In the final, Dauphin faced the host Neelin Spartans, falling in the best-of-five set match, 18-25, 25-19, 15-25 and 17-25.
The Clippers boys team was in Neepawa, looking to earn a berth to provincials.
Like the girls, they also began the tournament in the semifinals, where they beat the host Neepawa Tigers, 25-20, 25-19, 21-25 and 25-20.
Like the girls, the boys also faced Neelin in the final, losing 19-25, 20-25 and 15-25.
Provincials will be held at Credit Union Place, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Rangers victimized by bad call
The Parkland Rangers earned three of a possible four points in a pair of games against the Kenora Thistles in Kenora, Ont., over the weekend.
But they were robbed of possibly sweeping the weekend games, thanks to an error in judgement by the referee in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss.
After Carter Peters scored on Kenora’s second shot in the shootout, Parkland’s Quentin Fisk had a chance to tie the game on the Rangers’ third shot.
Fisk hit the goal post, but the puck deflected in off the goalie’s skate. The referee waved the goal off, saying the puck was dead.
But according to rule 4.11 (b), with regard to rebounds, referees should apply the following guidelines - the puck hits the goal post, then hits the goaltender and goes into the goal, the goal is allowed.
Rangers head coach Tyler Carefoot said he was pleased with the team’s play for the most part.
“I liked our first period of the first game. We took our foot off the pedal in the second period of the first game. Kenora was very resilient and they had a lot of energy on Saturday night. There was a lot of fans in the stands that were supporting them. So they kept the game close and we were just never able to really pull away,” he said.
The Rangers made a big push in the third period, but could not get the go-ahead goal.
Regarding the shootout, Carefoot said the rule book clearly said the goal should have counted.
“Nonetheless, there was some drama there. But regardless, the message after that game was we had to push forward, we have to persevere and if we bring that mindset of the third period where we played really desperate,” he said. “Not only against Kenora, but if we brought that mindset of playing desperate, we’d be a tough out against any other team.”
The Rangers brought that desperate mindset to Sunday’s game, beating the Thistles, 7-1.
Parkland is on the road tonight to face the Yellowhead Chiefs in Shoal Lake at 7:30 p.m.
On the weekend the Winnipeg Thrashers are in Dauphin for a pair of games, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Carefoot said he was pleased with the team playing desperate, with some urgency and being hard to play against in the two games in Kenora.
“We had that for five of six periods. And hopefully, we can move forward with that and, hopefully, the fellas recognize that that’s the way it has to be done. If we do that, I think we’ll be a tough out going forward,” he said.
Kings’ offence late to the party
The Dauphin Kings played just one game last week, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Portage Terriers, at Credit Union Place, Friday.
Matthew Biros staked the visitors to a 1-0 lead after the first period and former King Slade Stanick increased it to 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Evan Lachimea, Parker Korman and Alyandro De Leon padded the lead to 5-0 by the 10:52 mark, before the Kings offence came alive to score three times in the final 10 minutes on goals from Logan Walker, Alex Senf and Aidan Brook.
Jayden Catellier earned the win with 36 saves. Cole Sheffield took the loss after stopping 28 shots.
The Kings have a busier week ahead of them this week, starting tonight when they are on the road to play the Waywayseecappo Wolverines at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Dauphin travels south to play the Steinbach Pistons in La Broquerie at 7:30 p.m., and they play the Niverville Nighthawks, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Boguski set to enter Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2024 inductees, last week, and the list includes a player who got his start with the Dauphin Redbirds.
Ryan Boguski, who grew up in Sifton and played his minor ball in Dauphin, is one of nine individuals, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with four teams and one family, June 15, 2024, in Morden.
Boguski found out about his selection about a month ago, but he was asked to keep it quiet until the press release went out, last week.
Boguski said it wasn’t that hard to keep the news to himself.
“I’m one that doesn’t hold a secret very well. But it was pretty easy. I told my wife and my Dad. It’s like it wasn’t real. He told me I couldn’t tell anyone and no one else knew, so it was kind of easy for me,” he said, adding his three children provided distractions, which helped. “But once the media thing hit, then it started sinking in and people were calling and texting. Teammates that I played with 30 years ago were texting. That’s when it really sunk in.”
Boguski was an excellent youth player. From 1992 to 1994, he was chosen for the Manitoba youth team and in 1994, he made Team Canada.
Boguski was the Manitoba Youth Athlete of the Year in 1992 and Parkland Athlete of the Year in 1994.
After graduation, Boguski attended Minot State University for two years and graduated with an Education degree.
He then played 23 years in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League with Brandon Marlins and occasionally as a pickup for the Reston Rockets.
A left-handed pitcher, outfielder, first baseman, good base runner, and a good hitter who seldom struck out, Boguski was Senior AA Player of the Year in 1996, but his best season was probably 2007 when he pitched regularly for the Marlins and hit .377 with 21 runs-batted-in in 69 at bats.
Boguski attended six national senior championships and was an MSBL all-star nine times. He currently coaches in the Brandon minor baseball system and with Crocus Plains High School.
Being named to the Hall of Fame left Boguski almost speechless.
“I’ve been thinking about (what it means to me). I’ve never played the game with goals of making it to the Hall of Fame. And since (the announcement) and people start calling and texting and messaging on social media, it really sinks in and makes you look back,” he said. “And it was like, holy cow, I accomplished a lot. I played on a lot of teams. Not too many people get the chance. So it’s starting to sink in, like it’s a big deal now.”
Boguski got his start in senior baseball with the Dauphin Redbirds, when they called him up as a 15-year-old pitcher.
“They were short of arms so they asked me to pitch a game for them when I was 15. I remember facing the Brandon Cloverleafs. Being young, I pitched, I think, four or five innings and then they brought in someone else,” he said.
Making Team Canada in 1994 was one of the biggest highlights of his career, as well as all the years he made the provincial youth teams.
“They were pretty big steps. One year I won Western Canadians with a team from Winnipeg. These are big ones that are standing out. But I also remember winning a provincial title with a local Dauphin team,” he said. “I find them all kind of important.”
While admitting he is not much of a public speaker, Boguski is looking forward to the induction ceremony.
“It will be fun. It will be nice to see a lot of people again and have family there. I think it will be neat. It will be nice to get it over with and move on. I’m not a big spotlight person, so I don’t like having attention. So it will be nice to go up there, do my speech and get my picture and move on with my life,” he said.
“It’s an honour, for sure. I have to give credit to all my teammates and all the people I’ve played with through the years. And the coaches, for sure.”
Kings get away from doing the little things
The Dauphin Kings saw their six-game winning streak snapped on home ice, Sunday, when they fell 3-1 to the Winkler Flyers.
Prior to that, the Kings won their sixth straight contest, 5-2 over the Neepawa Titans, Saturday in Neepawa.
Kings head coach and general manager Doug Hedley didn’t think the Kings played well against Neepawa, stating they got away with some things.
“We got caught standing and watching a bit. Good teams find ways to win and we definitely did that. I think we could have been better. Neepawa pushed hard. They had some good opportunities and (goaltender Austin) Seibel played real well. He made some big saves when he had to. Otherwise, they would have been back in the game,” he said.
That game was a continuation of the way the team has played in recent games.
“The last little while, we’ve been getting away with some stuff and I think we’ve got to get back to doing those little things better,” Hedley said. “Whether it’s getting to the paint to get second shots. Whether it’s putting pucks in behind the D-men, not turning pucks over at their blueline. Last night, we turned pucks over, over and over again and gave them opportunities on the rush. Fortunately for us, Seibel made some big saves when he had to.”
It’s a good way to learn, Hedley added, knowing the team can play with any team in the league.
“The speed is there. When we start moving pucks up ice and we start attacking bluelines with speed, we create some opportunities,” he said.
Winkler, playing their third game in as many days, kept the Kings from generating much in the way of scoring chances, blocking a lot of shots.
“If we had 25 shots total in the game, we probably had 25 blocked,” Hedley said. “Sooner or later, we’ve got to figure out you can’t just bury your head and shoot the puck. You’ve got to get your eyes up, get your chest up and maybe step fake and go around the guy who is sliding at you. In the last seven or eight minutes, they were down before we even shot the puck and we didn’t one time go around them.”
The Kings played better in the third period, using their speed to create chances, but could not solve Winkler netminder Malachi Klassen.
Winkler controlled the play through the first 40 minutes, outshooting Dauphin 30-11, an indication of the slow start by the Kings.
“You’ve got to give them credit. Their goaltender played well and they played well,” Hedley said.
The Kings added defenceman Charlie Sandven, who played eight games with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League.
The Edina, Minn. native brings size to the Kings blueline at six-feet, three-inches and 190-pounds.
“I like him. I like his mobility. He makes good first passes. He doesn’t do too much. He gets pucks up ice and snaps the puck hard. I really liked him and Trey tonight. They both played real well,” Hedley said. “We think he’s going to help our hockey club. I think he’s a real good D-man, moves well and he’s just going to get better and better.”
Forward Gavin Nemis is close to returning from a shoulder injury he sustained at the Showcase.
The Kings have just one game this week, hosting the Portage Terriers, Friday on Ag Night, with more than $10,000 in raffle prizes. Following the game will be a Skate with the Kings, where fans can skate with their favourite player.
Kings notes:
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League still has three teams in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s top 10. The red hot Steinbach Pistons, 11-0-1-0 in their last 12 games, moved up from no. 8 to no. 4, while the Winkler Flyers dropped two, spots to no. 5. The Kings also dropped in the rankings to no. 9. The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Flin Flon Bombers sit atop the rankings, with a 14-1-1-0 record.