Rockets score early and late in second to win opener . . . MacBeth Report overflowing

So happy my Family and friends could join me today at #OrderOfCanada ceremonies. One never receive this award alone. pic.twitter.com/nsGPPUedBz

— Sheldon Kennedy (@ShelKenn) May 8, 2015

D Micki DuPont (Kamloops, 1996-2000) signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). This season, he had two goals and 21 assists in 48 games with Kloten (Switzerland, NL A). DuPont earlier played three seasons (2003-06) with Eisbären Berlin. . . .
F Spencer Machacek (Vancouver, 2005-08) signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin (Germany, DEL). This season, with the Augsburger Panther (Germany, DEL), he had 35 points, including eight goals, in 43 games. . . .
F Radim Valchar (Portland, Lethbridge, 2007-10) signed a one-year contract with Hokki Kajaani (Finland, Mestis). This season, with Gap (France, Ligue Magnus), he had five goals and 13 assists in 26 games. . . .
F Masi Marjamäki (Red Deer, Moose Jaw, 2002-05) signed a one-year contract with Ässät Port (Finland, Liiga). This season, he had four goals and two assists with Tappara Tampere (Finland, Liiga). He also had three goals and three assists in eight games on loan to LeKi Lempäälä (Finland, Mestis). . . .
D Brendan Mikkelson (Portland, Vancouver, 2003-07) signed a two-year contract with Luleå (Sweden, SHL). This season, with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), he had 23 points, including nine goals, in 60 games. He was an alternate captain with the Marlies. . . .
F Justin Taylor (Medicine Hat, Red Deer, 1999-2001, 2003-04) signed a one-year contract with Peiting (Germany, Oberliga). This season, with Mörrum (Sweden, Division 1), he had six goals and five assists in 18 games. . . .
F Dan DaSilva (Portland, 2002-05) signed one-year contract with the Linz Black Wings (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). This season, with the Augsburger Panther (Germany, DEL), he had 36 points, including 17 goals, in 51 games. . . .
D Derek Meech (Red Deer, 1999-2004) signed a two-year contract with Malmö (Sweden, SHL). This season, with the Texas Stars (AHL), he had 35 points, 10 of them goals, in 63 games. Malmö won promotion to SHL from Allsvenskan this season. . . .
D Jesse Dudas (Lethbridge, Prince George, Swift Current, Regina, 2003-09) signed a three-week tryout contract with TPS Turku (Finland, Liiga). This season, with Jegesmedve Miskolc (Hungary, MOL Liga), he had 43 points, 11 of them goals, in 34 games. Teams in Finland often practise until the end of May. . . .
G Jeff Glass (Kootenay, 2002-05) signed a one-year contract with Dynamo Minsk (Belarus, KHL). This season, with Lada Togliatti (Russia, KHL), he had a 3.46 GAA and a .885 save percentage in 14 games. . . .
F John Lammers (Lethbridge, Everett, 2001-06) signed a one-year contract with Innsbruck (Austria, Erste Bank Liga). This season, with Villach (Austria, Erste Bank Liga), he had 36 points, including 13 goals, in 54 games. . . .
F Jordan Draper (Red Deer, 2007-08) signed a one-year contract with Courbevoie (France, Division 1). This season, with Mont-Blanc (France Division 1), he had 34 points, including 20 goals, in 22 games. He led his team in goals and points, and was fifth in the league’s scoring race. . . .
F Jan Dalecký (Swift Current, 2007-09) signed a one-year extension with Kladno (Czech Republic, 1. Liga). This season, he had five goals and three assists in 34 games.
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pic.twitter.com/yEL9VehCEh

— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) May 8, 2015

FRIDAY’S GAME:

In Brandon, F Leon Draisaitl broke a 3-3 tie at 18:50 of the second period as the Kelowna Rockets opened the WHL’s championship final with a 4-3 victory over the Wheat Kings. . . . They’ll play Game 2 tonight in Brandon. . . . F Rihards Bukarts got Brandon on the board during the game’s first PP, scoring his third goal at 4:58 of the first period. . . . The Rockets scored the game’s next three goals in just 3:38. . . . F Tyson Baillie got his 10th goal at 17:41 of the first period, via the PP. . . . F Justin Kirkland scored his third goal 52 seconds into the second to give the visitors their first lead. . . . F Chance Braid, with his fourth goal, gave the Rockets a two-goal lead at 1:19. . . . The Wheat Kings tied it, getting goals 1:57 apart, from F Peter Quenneville, his eighth, on the PP, at 15:58, and Bukarts, at 17:55. . . . Draisaitl scored the goal that would stand up as the winner just 55 seconds later. . . . The difference in the game? The Rockets scored two goals in the first 1:19 of the second and another almost in the last minute of that period. So much for Brandon maintaining momentum, especially after tying the game 3-3. . . . Kelowna D Josh Morrissey had two assists, with Kirkland and Baillie each adding an assist to their goals. . . . Kelowna G Jackson Whistle stopped 24 shots, 12 fewer than Brandon’s Jordan Papirny. . . . Brandon was 2-for-3 on the PP; Kelowna was 1-for-4. . . . The referees were Chris Crich and Brett Iverson. . . . Kelowna F Rourke Chartier (ankle) had a question mark beside his name on the lineup sheet. He took the warmup and was in the lineup, picking up one assist. He started on a line with Rodney Southam and Riley Stadel. . . . While F Tanner Kaspick was back in Brandon’s lineup, D Kale Clague and F Reid Duke were among the scratches. . . . The Wheat Kings also had F Ty Lewis in the lineup for the first time in these playoffs. Lewis, who is from Brandon, was a sixth-round pick in the 2013 bantam draft. . . . F Caiden Daley, selected by the Wheat Kings with the 21st overall pick in Thursday’s bantam draft, was in the house. He played this season with the bantam AAA Winnipeg Warriors. . . . Shaw-TV is showing the entire series. . . . The attendance was a season-high 5,502. . . . Bruce Luebke, the radio voice of the Wheat Kings on CKLQ, has a game story right here. . . . Doyle Potenteau of the Kelowna Daily Courier filed this story right here.
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The host Oshawa Generals opened the OHL final last night with a 4-1 victory over the Erie Otters before 6,068 fans. . . . Erie F Connor McDavid had one assist, the fourth time in 16 playoff games that he was held to one point. . . . They’ll play Game 2 tonight in Oshawa. . . .
In the QMJHL, the visiting Quebec Remparts beat the Rimouski Oceanic 4-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the championship series. . . . Quebec G Zach Fucale stopped 40 shots. . . . Attendance was 5,062. . . . They are scheduled to play Sunday and Wednesday in Quebec City.
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In the AHL, the Utica Comets and Oklahoma City Barons, who went into the fourth OT period on Thursday night, were back at it last night. The Barons won the series opener 2-1. Last night, it was the Comets winning 2-1, this time at 3:32 of the first extra period. . . . The online scoresheet is right here.
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The BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs issued a rather interesting news release this week, as they announced “the addition of eight players for the 2015-16 season. All eight were members of the split-season Connecticut Wolf Pack team that captured the 2015 USA Hockey Tier 1 U18 National Championship in Amherst, N.Y., in April. . . . All told, the Chiefs added a goaltender, a defence man and six forwards from the Wolf Pack. . . . Six of the players are Americans; the other two are from Quebec. . . . There’s more right here.
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If you missed it, ESPN announced Thursday that it won’t renew Bill Simmons’ contract. Jeb Lund greeted that news with ‘A Begrudging Appreciation’ for Rolling Stone. It’s a good read and it’s right here.
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Florence and Kaye Kaminishi of Kamloops celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Friday. You may not know them or know of them, but there is a truly amazing story there. . . . Kaminishi was a promising young baseball player in Vancouver when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour on Dec. 7, 1941. It wasn’t long before Kaminish and his mother were in an internment camp near Lillooet, B.C., their lumberyard gone, seized by the government. . . . Kaminishi survived all of that and is a man of uncommon grace. For more on his story, click right here.
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#NHLJets announce Andrew Ladd had 'successful surgery' on a sports hernia today in St. L. Expected to be ready for camp in Sept. #bn

— Ed Tait (@WFPEdTait) May 8, 2015

Wonder if a pro sports team ever announced a player underwent 'unsuccessful surgery'? 'Sorry to report the doc really messed up...'

— Ed Tait (@WFPEdTait) May 8, 2015

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WHL feeling secure with Lacasse . . . Brain injury ends another career

D Jim Vandermeer (Red Deer, 1997-2001) has signed two-year extension with Kloten (Switzerland, NL A). Last season, he had two goals and 10 assists in 49 games. . . .
F Milan Kytnár (Kelowna, Saskatoon, Vancouver, 2007-10) has signed a contract through Nov. 2 with Banská Bystrica (Slovakia, Extraliga). Last season, with Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic, Extraliga), he had four goals and six assists in 41 games. . . .
F Petr Kalus (Regina, 2005-06) has signed a one-year contract with Herning (Denmark, Metal Ligaen). Last season, with Dukla Trenčín (Slovakia, Extraliga), he had one assist in three games; with Djurgården Stockholm (Sweden, Allsvenskan), he was pointless in two games; and in 42 games with the Nottingham Panthers, he had 38 points, including 18 goals. . . .
F Masi Marjamäki (Red Deer, Moose Jaw, 2002-05) has signed a one-year-plus-option contract with Tappara Tampere (Finland, Liiga). Marjamäki missed all of last season and most of 2012-13 due to injury. In 2012-13, with Ilves Tampere (Finland, Liiga), he had three goals and three assists in nine games.
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Yves Lacasse has joined the WHL as its volunteer
security officer.
(Photo: Kamloops Daily News files)

The WHL announced Tuesday that Yves Lacasse, a former RCMP superintendent in Kamloops, has signed on as its volunteer security officer.
Lacasse, who had been with the Kamloops detachment for eight years, left the RCMP after 27 years early in 2013 to become the manager of external affairs for KGHM International, which is wanting to start a copper and gold mine near Kamloops.
The proposed mine, which would border the Aberdeen section of Kamloops, has caused a deep divide in the community because those who are opposed to it for environmental reasons and those who are for it because of the economic benefits for the community.
Lacasse, who was raised in Thetford Mines, Que., is friends with Kamloops Blazers majority owner Tom Gaglardi and general manager Craig Bonner. Lacasse also has worked with the Blazers for 10 seasons.
According to a WHL news release: “Acting in a volunteer capacity in his new role with the WHL, Lacasse will conduct internal reviews and investigations on behalf of the WHL office to ensure WHL clubs are operating in accordance with league standards and regulations.”
The news release adds that Lacasse “will also be responsible to facilitate the implementation of a new league-wide security program with all WHL clubs.”
The news release also made mention of the success of the WHL's seven-point plan that was enacted in time for 2011-12.“In the first three seasons since being implemented by the WHL, the (plan) has been effective in reducing concussions and other injuries,” according to the news release.
Unfortunately, the WHL, once again, didn’t release any numbers to back up its claims.
At the same time as the WHL was issuing this release, Sean Rooney and Ryan McCracken of the Medicine Hat News were preparing a story that marks the end of F Gavin Broadhead’s career with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Broadhead, a 19-year-old from Hay River, NWT, last played on Jan. 22.
According to The News’ story, Broadhead took a shoulder to the face during a Jan. 18 game against the Calgary Hitmen. Then, despite not feeling well, he went on a road trip to the West Coast. On Jan. 21, in Victoria, he took another hit. Broadhead said that a Royals’ team doctor checked him over and, according to The News, “concluded it wasn’t a concussion.”
On Jan. 22, Broadhead said he was hit from behind in Vancouver. “Then I knew,” he said. “I was dizzy, I wasn’t feeling well, I was nauseous.”
What followed was eight months of headaches, and now Broadhead, whose father, Curt, also played for the Tigers (1977-81), is moving on.
“My head just wasn’t going to hold up,” Gavin said. “I want to be able to think . . . I don’t want to be smashing up my head anymore.”
Broadhead was selected by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2010 bantam draft. In 97 regular-season games over parts of three seasons, he had four goals and eight assists. Last season, in 44 games, he had a goal and eight assists.
At some point this morning, The News’ story should appear right here.
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The Everett Silvertips have their roster down to 27 players after releasing F Chris Stockl, 19, on Tuesday. Stockl, from Winnipeg, played with the Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Rebels over the last two seasons. Last season, he had one goal in 16 games with Red Deer. In 78 regular-season games, he has four goals and seven assists. . . . The Silvertips are carrying four goaltenders, eight defencemen and 15 forwards.
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The Lethbridge Hurricanes have signed F Brett Davis, who was a fourth-round pick in the 2014 bantam draft. From Oakbank, Man., he had 49 points, 26 of them goals, in 36 games with the bantam Notre Dame Hounds, who play in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League.
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Two men have been indicted on drug-related charges in the death of former WHL and NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard. One of the men is Jordan Hart, the son of former Flin Flon Bombers/New York Islanders D Gerry Hart. . . . John Branch and Benjamin Weiser of The New York Times have more right here.
Branch has been on top of the Boogaard story right from the start. Right here, there’s a piece he wrote almost three years ago that is headlined Derek Boogaard: A boy learns to brawl.
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Kevin Kwasny was a football player at Bishop’s U in Montreal when he suffered a concussion during a game. Now he is suing the school, asking for $9.3 million in damages. Karen Seidman of the Montreal Gazette has more right here.
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Today, while the Ray Rice thing is fresh in our minds, is a good time to take a look at some sporting sleazebags. Thanks to Drew Magary and GQ Magazine we can do just that and we can do it right here. Enjoy . . . then take a shower!
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The Everett Silvertips have signed Wayne Duncan as their new trainer. He had been working with high schools in the Seattle area. Duncan takes over from Marc Paquet, who has moved on to the AHL’s Adirondack Flames. . . . The 2016 IIHF world women’s hockey championship will be played in Kamloops. Dates for the 22-game championship have yet to be released, but it will be played in April in the Interior Savings Centre and McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre.

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