Saturday . . .

A real grab bag in the wee hours of Sunday . . .
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THE MacBETH REPORT: F Jakub Sindel (Brandon, 2004-05) signed a one-year contract with Tappara Tampere (Finland SM-Liiga). He had 11 goals and nine assists in 44 games for HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic Extraliga) this season. . . .
D Matt Kinch (Calgary, 1995-2001) signed a two-year contract extension with EVR Tower Stars Ravensburg (Germany 2.Bundesliga). He had six goals and 22 assists in 52 games this season.
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Does the NHL have a great product or what? Marian Hossa about ends the career of Nashville D Dan Hamhuis but, under NHL rules, doesn’t get tossed from the game, then comes out of the penalty box to score the OT winner as the host Chicago Blackhawks beat the Predators, 5-4, to take a 3-2 series lead. . . . The hockey gods obviously weren’t working on Saturday. . . . By the way, still with the NHL playoffs, have you had your fill of video review yet? Just a thought, but how much money could the NHL save by firing all of its referees and officiating all games from the war room in Toronto?
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The Brandon Wheat Kings now will have three weeks off before they play host to the Memorial Cup, May 14-23. . . . The Wheat Kings are the fifth straight WHL team to play host to the Memorial Cup and fail to win the WHL championships. The Spokane Chiefs (1998), Regina Pats (2001), Kelowna Rockets (2004) and Vancouver Giants (2007) all did the same thing. Kelowna and Vancouver both were able to win the Memorial Cup on home ice. . . . The last WHL championship team to also be the team was the 1994-95 Kamloops Blazers, who won their third Memorial Cup in four seasons that spring. . . . When the Memorial Cup opens in Brandon on May 14, it’ll be the Wheat Kings against the OHL champions.
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There is controversy in Calgary where the owner of the National Lacrosse League’s Calgary Roughnecks is upset with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, who own the Calgary Hitmen and control the Pengrowth Saddledome. . . . The Roughnecks have qualified for the NLL playoffs and will play host to the Edmonton Rush in a May 1 game. But they have been given a 1 p.m. starting time and that has Roughnecks owner Brad Banister seething. “How does a taxpayers’ building fall into the hands of self-proclaimed billionaires?” he wrote in a statement released Friday. “The Flames should build their own arena. Instead of levelling the ’Dome, the City of Calgary should take it back. I am disgusted. I grew up in this city. I went to school here, I have businesses here, and I’m the lowest person on the totem pole as far as the Flames are concerned.” . . . The Hitmen will open the WHL’s championship final at home with games on the nights of Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1. The Saddledome also is home to a Simon and Garfunkel concert on Sunday, May 2. . . . “The NHL, WHL and NLL playoffs are always at the same time each season, and the Roughnecks have a proven track record when it comes to the post-season,” Banister continued. “That said, why wasn’t more attention paid to scheduling issues? Either the Flames had no intention of making the playoffs on their own, or they had no intention of giving us a playoff spot. How did the Flames expect to potentially hold their own playoff game? Did they think they would be playing at 1 p.m. on a Saturday? There comes a time when you have to stand up to bullies — that time is now.”
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Libby Raines, the vice-president of building operations, responded in a release:
"We are disappointed with Brad’s comments, as he is aware; we have made considerable concessions to support the Roughnecks as tenants of the Saddledome. We fulfill the complex obligation of booking the facility for all purposes – sporting, cultural and community – often a difficult juggling task.
"In regard to the date in question, the changeover required and the nature of the respective events (laying and removing the lacrosse field / hockey overtime) make this schedule the most viable in terms of ensuring that all three games can be accommodated.
"In addition, the Roughnecks were also provided Thursday night as an alternative, which, although unusual in the NLL, has been a game day in other markets. Thursday was not an option for the Hitmen as the WHL Draft is being held on the same day in Edmonton. We will do everything we can to support the Roughnecks' marketing of the game."
So there . . .
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However, by Saturday, Banister was apologizing.
“There’s always regrets,” Banister told the Calgary Herald on Saturday. “I probably owe the ownership group and Ken King an apology for the way I came off — especially with the billionaire comment.”
That story is right here.
And it gets even more bizarre because near the end of that story Kaleb Toth, an alternate captain and a tremendous lacrosse player, takes shots at the Flames, Edmonton Oilers and the Hitmen.
You will recall that Toth is a former WHL player, having skated for the Prince Albert Raiders, Moose Jaw Warriors and Lethbridge Hurricanes (1993-98).
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In Fairbanks, Alaska, the Wenatchee Wild dumped the Ice Dogs 7-1 on Friday to win the NAHL’s West Division title for a second straight season. The Wild is coached by former NHLer Paul Baxter, who played in the WHL with the Winnipeg Clubs in 1973-74. . . . The Wild will play host to the NAHL’s Robertson Cup championship tournament, May 4-9.
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G Clayton Pool (Kamloops, Kootenay, 1996-99) made 24 saves as the Fort St. John Flyers beat the Bentley Generals 4-1 on Saturday night to win the Allan Cup as Canadian senior AAA champions. The tournament was held in Fort St. John, B.C. The Generals were the defending champions.
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Former NHL D Mark Osiecki is the new head coach of hockey’s Ohio State Buckeyes. Osiecki spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Badgers. He also spent seven seasons as GM and head coach of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. He was part of the Team USA coaching staff for the team that won the world junior championship in Saskatoon in January. . . . Osiecki takes over from John Markell, whose contract wasn’t renewed after more than 15 seasons at Ohio State.
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The visiting Spruce Grove Saints scored a 3-2 victory over the Vernon Vipers on Saturday to force a seventh game in the Doyle Cup series that features the AJHL champions against the best of the BCHL. Saints G Vince Marozzi stopped 36 shots and was the game’s first star for a second straight outing. The Saints have won two straight to force Game y. It will be played in Vernon on Sunday night. . . . The winner advances to the Royal Bank Cup that opens in Dauphin, Man., on May 1.
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In the QMJHL, the host Victoriaville Tigres scored a 4-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday night. Saint John leads the semifinal 3-2 and is taking the series home for its conclusion. Game 6 will be played in Saint John on Monday. . . . Tigres G Kevin Poulin stopped 43 shots on Saturday.
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WHL PLAYOFFS
THIRD ROUND
CONFERENCE FINALS
(Best-of-7)
(x — if necessary)
(All times local)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Calgary (1) vs. Brandon (2)
(Calgary wins series 4-1)
April 16: Brandon 4 at Calgary 2 (8,669)
April 17: Brandon 2 at Calgary 3 (OT) (8,697)
April 20: Calgary 6 at Brandon 3 (4,251)
April 21: Calgary 4 at Brandon 3 (4,363)
April 23: Brandon 1 at Calgary 6 (11,222)
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
Tri-City (1) vs. Vancouver (5)
(Tri-City leads series 3-2)
April 16: Vancouver 4 at Tri-City 2 (3,899)
April 17: Vancouver 0 at Tri-City 4 (3,875)
April 20: Tri-City 2 at Vancouver 3 (OT) (6,178)
April 22: Tri-City 5 at Vancouver 2 (7,428)
April 23: Vancouver 1 at Tri-City 4 (4,351)
Sunday: Tri-City at Vancouver, 5 p.m.
x-Tuesday: Vancouver at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.