The Swan Valley Elite All Girls Softball Clinic took place this past weekend (April 11 and 12), indoors at the Ecole Swan River South School Gymnasium. The event consisted of four age groups (U9, U11, U13 and U15), being taught new skills on pitching, catching, defence and hitting. The camp was open to girls looking to fine tune their skills, and learn new ones, before the spring softball season gets underway.  (TOP) Coach Brennah Mclaughin leads the U9 group in an early morning stretch. 

Youth from the Swan River Valley attended a birthday celebration skate at the Swan River Centennial Arena last Wednesday (April 1). Kids enjoyed a fun game of pickup hockey. Pictured (left to right) are: Lynley Stechyshyn (white jersey), Brooks White, (blue jersey), Max Hogue, (Oilers jersey), Cohen Dicks, (black sweater), and Braylin Hagglund, (white jersey in front).

The U13 Swan Valley Broncos hosted the Yorkton Premier Cabinet Terriers at the Swan River Centennial Arena, in Game one of their best-of-three series (Tuesday, March 17). The Broncos scored early, and often, en route to a dominating 11-4 win. The Broncos travelled to Yorkton, SK two days later (March 19), for Game two, but couldn’t find any offence, falling 13-2. With the series tied 1-1, it was a winner take all Game three on Friday, March 20, in Swan River. It was the Terriers who captured the B Side Consolation Championship, with a 7-6 win over the Broncos. 

The U13 Swan Valley Mustangs hosted the Indian Head Chiefs in Game one (Monday, March 16), at the Centennial Arena in thier best-of-three A side Championship series. The Mustangs played hard but came up short, losing 7-6 on home ice. Leading the offence was Javan Bass, scoring three goals, Bentley Genaille collectd a goal and an assit while Grady Dixon added three assists in the loss. Game two, played in Indian Head last Thursday (March 19), needed double overtime to determine a winner. In another close game, it was the Indian Head Chiefs who skated to victory, winning 6-5 in extra time. Javan Bass and Grady Dixon lead the offence with two goals and one assist each. 

 The Minitonas Skating Club held their year end skating carnival last Friday night (March 6), at the Minitonas and District Arena. The large crowd was treated to 24 choreographed performances, instructed by Coach Alison Burgess. The evening was capped by Peggy Kalynuk winning the $10,000 cash draw. 

The Swan River Men’s Bonspiel took place this past weekend (March 6 - 8), at the Swan River Community Centre with 20 teams taking part in the three event weekend. All teams competed in the eight draws during the three day bonspiel. (TOP) Les Konjolka and Jamie Eggie await word to sweep from their lead.

The U13 Swan Valley Mustangs hosted Game 1 of their best-of-three series against the visiting Indian Head Chiefs, this past Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Swan River Centennial Arena. The Mustangs kicked off the series with a battle tested, 6-4 victory, earning the 1-0 series lead. Pictured above is Grady Dixon slicing through the Chiefs defenders, and gaining a high quality scoring chance in the process. Dixon would lead his team to the win by scoring three times, while adding an assist. Bentley Genaille added a pair of goals, while Jaxon Genaille added a single to go along with a pair of assists. Additional assists were picked up by Javan Bass (three), Sadie Cocks (two) and one each to Harper Cocks, Memphis Langevin and Nixon Hofford.  In Game 2, played Sunday afternoon in Indian Head, SK, the young Mustangs came home with a 5-5 tie, but still advance to the next round based on goals for and against. This time it was Jaxon Genaille leading the way with a pair of goals, with singles added by Dixon, Bass and Jaxson Branconnier. Bass added a pair of assists in the win, with other helpers added by Branconnier, Langevin and Dixon. The Mustangs will now advance to play Melville in round two, starting some time later this week.

The Swan Valley Regional Secondary School gymnasium was busy this weekend, as the Swan Valley Co-op Classic Varsity Girls’ Basketball tournament took place.
The tournament showcased five teams playing in a four-game round robin. Teams participating included the Virden Golden Bears, Minegoziibe Anishinabe Talons, Kamsack Spartans, Margaret Barbour Spartans and the host SVRSS Tigers.
The first game of the tournament had the Tigers matched up against the Talons. The Tigers came out ready to play their first game of the year in their home gym and led 28-15 at the half. The Tigers kept things rolling in the second half and were able to come away with a 55-32 win.
Leading the scoring for the Tigers was Patience Chartrand with 20 points, Jordyn Eggie with 17 points and Kemi Bulycz with six points. Savannah Orosz had 11 rebounds and six points, Daria Brandson added two points, Tyler Petelski had 15 rebounds and two points. Maya Watson pulled down 14 rebounds and added two points while Billie Brandson and Taliah Davy each colleted a pair of rebounds. Chartrand earned player of the game honours.
“We played well against the Talons and everyone was able to get some game time and contribute in the game,” said Head Coach Shayne Yaschyshyn.
Game two saw MBCI defeat Kamsack 68-34, while game three saw Virden sneak out a 60-57 win over the Talons in a close game that went right to the final buzzer.
The Tigers second game was against the Kamsack Spartans. The Tigers were primed and ready for this game and came out firing on all cylinders. The Tigers went up 31-9 at the half and never looked back, closing out the game with a 68-35 win.
Eggie lead the scoring with 28 points, with Chartrand added 11 points. Orosz had 15 rebounds and nine points, Petelski added six points and 12 rebounds, Watson had 10 rebounds and six points, Bulycz had eight steals adding two points, Billie Brandson and Taliah Davy each added two points. while Amber Gott had two rebounds and two points. Eggie earned player of the game honours.
“We were able to work on our game systems and everyone was able to get a lot of floor time which is valuable this time of year” added Yaschyshyn.
The last game of the evening saw the MBCI Spartans defeat the Golden Bears 70-32.
Saturday morning had another nail bitter to kick start the day. Kamsack couldn’t find the ground to catch up and ended up falling 42-35 to Virden.
Next up had MBCI taking on the Talons who came to play with a short bench. MBCI ended up taking the game by a score of 56-38.
The Tigers were next up on the schedule and started their first match of the day on fire against the Golden Bears. The Tigers built a 31-8 lead by half time and dominated both sides of the ball. The Tigers cruised to a 65-31 win.
Leading the scoring was Eggie with 16 points and Bulycz with 12 points. Orosz finished with a double-double (11 rebounds and 11 points), while Watson added nine points with five rebounds, Chartrand added seven points with eight rebounds, Petelski pulled down 20 rebounds adding six points, Daria Brandson and Gott rounded out the scoring with two points each. Orosz earned player of the game honours.
“We were able to play to our strengths against Virden with everyone getting some play time,” said Yaschyshyn.
The loss put Virden into a 3rd place tournament finish. Next up was the consolation game between Kamsack and Minegoziibe Anishinabe.
The Talons went on to take the consolation game, 72-40 over a tired Kamsack team.
The final game of the weekend saw the Tigers up against the MBCI Spartans and that would determine the tournament champions. This was a rematch of last weekend’s Kamsack tournament final.
The Spartans came out strong and built up a six point lead, holding an 18 -12 lead after the first quarter. Foul trouble kept the Tigers behind the 8-ball to start the game.
At half time the Tigers still found themselves trailing by six points. The two teams played even until late in the fourth quarter where the foul trouble once again plagued the Tigers, allowing the Spartans to take the game 52-38.
Eggie once again lead the scoring with 13 points, while Bulycz added eight points. Petelski hauled down 20 rebounds and scored six points, Chartrand added six points to go along with 12 rebounds, Orosz added three points while Watson had seven rebounds and two points.
“MBCI came out strong and we didn’t react well to their press at the beginning of the game,” stated Yaschyshyn.
Once we adjusted we played even from the mid point of the first until the last couple of minutes in the game. Both teams played well defensively and both teams struggled to get any buckets.”
Player of the game honours went to Tyler Petelski.
The Swan Valley Co-op Tournament All Stars for the Tigers, who were awarded collector sweat towels were Tyler Petelski, Patience Chartrand, Kemi Bulycz and Jordyn Eggie.
“The tournament wouldn’t have been possible without our tournament sponsors, The Swan Valley Co-op, and Northern Lites Eatery, as well as our coach/referee room sponsor Tim Hortons and all of the adopt a tiger sponsors.
“The players’ families and everyone who came out to support us this weekend was great” finished Yaschyshyn.
Next up for the Tigers is the RD Parker invitational tournament in Thompson on February 13th and 14th.
The zone play offs against the Dauphin Clippers is set for the following week with the first game at the DRCSS on February 17. Game two will be held at the SVRSS on February 19th at 4:30pm.
A third game, if necessary is scheduled for Dauphin on February 23.