Sports Fix Preview and More.

Good evening,

Today was one of those days where I looked at the Sports Fix and saw an empty canvas. A few phone calls later, and suddenly we've got a full program, and a pretty entertaining one at that.

First off, tonight I'm running raw audio from the St. Walburg Eagle's post-game celebration. St. Walburg captured the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League Championship Friday night in Edam with a 4-3 victory. Tonight you'll hear from Jordan Fuder, Darren Delainey, Bryan Bridges and coach Doug Larre. St. Walburg certainly deserves the championship considering how consistent their play was in the final series.

With the win, Walburg becomes just the third team in 13 years to win the NSRHL. Edam has won 10 of the past 13, with Paradise Hill winning the other two.

Guest two on the program is the head-coach and GM of the Melfort Mustangs, Darrell Mann. Mann's Mustangs are coming off a split of Games one and two in La Ronge. They won Game one in Overtime before dropping a 4-0 decision in Game Two. Game three goes tomorrow night, and by all accounts it should be a great display.

Mann and I will discuss the previous series between Melfort and Humboldt, and I'll also get Mann's take on the atmosphere in Melfort right now. It's no secret that there has been lots of pressure placed on Mann's shoulders this season, and so far he's dealt with it extremely well.

My final guest tonight is a former play-by-play man for the Melfort Mustangs, Nipawin Hawks and Humboldt Broncos, Kenny Trenton. Trenton is now the broadcaster for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons for Country 93.3 in Fort Mac. The Oil Barons are currently down 2-0 in their series with Spruce Grove. Together Trenton and I will discuss the outlook of the AJHL, and we'll learn a little more about Fort McMurray.

For those wondering, it's easy to classify Fort McMurray as the 'FLin-Flon' of Alberta. It's way North, and there's a TON of passion in that community. It was Trenton's first visit to the program in over two-years, and as always he killed it.

The show kicks off in 30 minutes on CJNB/CJNS and www.cjnb.com

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Barring any sudden unforseen change, I think I called my last hockey game of 2010-2011 last night in Maidstone. I called Game One of the Senior A Provincial Final between Maidstone and Balgonie for Access 7. A great game that featured some great goaltending by both Maidstone's Quinton Gauthier and Balgonie's David Perkin. Maidstone won the game 3-2, and have a chance to bring home a Senior A Provincial Banner Friday night with a win in Balgonie.

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Over the past week there have been two scholarship announcements from the Battlefords North Stars. Both Kyle Birch and Tony Oak will be playing post-secondary hockey.

Both of these kids deserve any and all success that comes their way down the road. I dealt with Tony for four years, and Kyle for three, and I enjoyed their company immensely. Both were fierce competitors on the ice, yet both were extremely easy-going and genuine off of it.

I wish them nothing but the best, and it is my intention to keep in touch with those two, and follow their progress closely as the months and years go by.

Ken Pearson also deserves a ton of credit here. He's done such a great job with both of these kids over the past three years, and once again his connections and his efforts need to be recognized.

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Don't get me wrong, I think the Yorkton Terriers are a hell of a hockey team, but color me SHOCKED that they are up 2-0 in the series after two emphatic victories over the Kindersley Klippers. It's one thing to win two close ones at home, but I don't think anybody could have expected two blowouts.

Game three now means EVERYTHING to Rockie Zinger's team.

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Obviously visors are manditory in Junior Hockey, but should they become manditory in the NHL? I've posted a poll at the side of the blog, and I'd love your input in not only the poll but the comment's section as well.

Canuck's centerman Manny Malhotra is done for the year, and possibly forever after an eye-injury suffered last week.

Not only does the loss of Malhotra greatly affect the Canuck's depth and grit come playoff time, but it also has garnered lots of conversation about visors and whether they should become manditory.

My thoughts: They should be grandfathered in like helmets were in 1979. If you're an NHL rookie in 2011-2012 you MUST wear one. If you've been in the league since 2003, and you choose to play without one, then you're free to do so.

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I've always held a soft-spot for Matt Cooke based on his accomplishments in Vancouver, but his latest antics are despicable. I agree whole-heartedly with the suspension handed down by the NHL and it would come as no surprise if Cooke may have played his last game in Pittsburgh. It's a shame too, because you can be a great agitator without taking liberties, and clearly Cooke doesn't seem to grasp that concept.

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I'm excited for my buddy Cody Nickolet who does the color for the Saskatoon Blades. The Blades finished the WHL season with the best overall record, and earned the Scottie Munro trophy for their efforts. I hope to catch at least one game of the Raiders/Blades series. I've caught a few Blade's games in recent weeks, and they remind me of the Vancouver Giants from 2006 (WHL Champs) and 2007 (Mem Cup Champs).

Time will tell I guess.

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A big hearty congratulations to the North Battleford Comp Viking's Sr. Boys and Girls basketball teams after their success this past weekend. Both squads are off to Moose Jaw this weekend for Hoopla, and boy would it be great to see them come back with a coujple of Provincial Banners.

Yes we're a hockey town, and yes we love our curling and sledding. But I think it's great that the Battlefords can bring it on the court too.

Best of luck to both teams from North Star Nation.

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Hopefully tomorrow I'll have kicked this cold. Nothing's worse than eating supper and not being able to taste any of it. Enjoy the Sports Fix, enjoy your evening, and I look forward to your comments and your continued readership.