Local Sports

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Chase Klassen, left, and Brady McIsaac dig for the puck deep in the Surrey Eagles zone late in the third period of Game 6 of the BC Hockey League Coastal Conference semifinal, Sunday, April 23, 2023. The Bulldogs won 7-1 to force Game 7. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BCHL: Alberni Valley Bulldogs force Game 7 in semifinal with 7-1 win over Surrey Eagles

Winner of Game 7 will face Chilliwack Chiefs in Coastal Conference championship

Alberni Valley Bulldogs Chase Klassen, left, and Brady McIsaac dig for the puck deep in the Surrey Eagles zone late in the third period of Game 6 of the BC Hockey League Coastal Conference semifinal, Sunday, April 23, 2023. The Bulldogs won 7-1 to force Game 7. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Nanaimo Clippers have been eliminated from the B.C. Hockey League playoffs. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Clippers eliminated from playoffs after being shut out by Chilliwack Chiefs

Chiefs advance after 5-0 win in Game 6 in the Fraser Valley

The Nanaimo Clippers have been eliminated from the B.C. Hockey League playoffs. (News Bulletin file photo)
Cal State Fullerton baseball player and Victoria product Fynn Chester’s eight strong innings against UC Riverside on April 15 helped the senior earn Big West pitcher of the week honours. (Courtesy of Katie Abertson)

Victoria baseball player named NCAA’s Big West pitcher of the week

Fynn Chester had eight strong innings, tied his career high in strikeouts on April 15

Cal State Fullerton baseball player and Victoria product Fynn Chester’s eight strong innings against UC Riverside on April 15 helped the senior earn Big West pitcher of the week honours. (Courtesy of Katie Abertson)
The Nanaimo Clippers play the Chilliwack Chiefs in Game 5 of the second-round of the BCHL playoffs on Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Clippers win in overtime to stay alive in BCHL playoffs

Clippers and Chiefs will play Game 5 on Friday, April 21, at Frank Crane Arena

The Nanaimo Clippers play the Chilliwack Chiefs in Game 5 of the second-round of the BCHL playoffs on Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs celebrate their overtime win against the Surrey Eagles during Game 4 of the Coastal Conference semi-finals on Wednesday, April 19. (PHOTO COURTESY LYNDON CASSELL PHOTOGRAPHY)

BCHL: Alberni Valley Bulldogs tie up playoff series with Surrey Eagles in overtime

Both teams are now tied 2-2 in BCHL’s Coastal Conference semifinals

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs celebrate their overtime win against the Surrey Eagles during Game 4 of the Coastal Conference semi-finals on Wednesday, April 19. (PHOTO COURTESY LYNDON CASSELL PHOTOGRAPHY)
Yuta Yamato drives the ball into the attacking zone during the Cowichan 49ers 3-1 victory over PCOV Sunday afternoon. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Composure, crowd, and kicks propel Cowichan 49ers to provincial semis

Tyler Hughes the hero in 3-1 Cowichan victory

Yuta Yamato drives the ball into the attacking zone during the Cowichan 49ers 3-1 victory over PCOV Sunday afternoon. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Cody McClary of the Port Alberni Black Sheep tries to break through a wall of Meraloma players during a BC Rugby quarterfinal game on Saturday, April 15. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni Black Sheep headed to BC Rugby semifinals after win against Meraloma

The Black Sheep will face the Nanaimo Hornets in the next round

Cody McClary of the Port Alberni Black Sheep tries to break through a wall of Meraloma players during a BC Rugby quarterfinal game on Saturday, April 15. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
Nanaimo Clippers forward Jérémie Payant carries the puck during a game against the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday, April 15, at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Clippers trail Chiefs in second-round BCHL playoff series

Chilliwack wins Game 1 and Game 2 in Nanaimo

Nanaimo Clippers forward Jérémie Payant carries the puck during a game against the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday, April 15, at Frank Crane Arena. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
(Matthew Timmons Photography)

Oceanside Generals secure bronze medal in the Cyclone Taylor Cup

The Generals took down the Delta Ice Hawks on Sunday (April 16)

(Matthew Timmons Photography)
Penny Shantz, right, and teammates third Cindy Curtain, second Shirley Wong, lead Janet Suter and fifth Leslie Shearer celebrate after winning the 2023 Canadian Masters Curling Championships. (Submitted photo)

Parksville skip Shantz leads team to second Canadian Masters Curling title in a row

Two-time champion curler to relocate to Vernon-Okanagan in May

Penny Shantz, right, and teammates third Cindy Curtain, second Shirley Wong, lead Janet Suter and fifth Leslie Shearer celebrate after winning the 2023 Canadian Masters Curling Championships. (Submitted photo)
Vancouver Island Wave Program member Sami Marvasti makes the tackle during Pacific FC’s pre-season training, held at the PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Education) in Saanich on Feb. 24. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Pacific FC signs two Island boys to roster

Sami Marvasti, 16, and Jack Garner, 17, are signed on CPL developmental contracts

Vancouver Island Wave Program member Sami Marvasti makes the tackle during Pacific FC’s pre-season training, held at the PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Education) in Saanich on Feb. 24. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
VIU Athlete of the Year award winners for 2022-23 are basketball players Tori Odom and Harriette Mackenzie. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

VIU honours its athletes of the year after seasons in which every team excelled

Basketball standouts earn top honours at Mariners’ awards banquet

VIU Athlete of the Year award winners for 2022-23 are basketball players Tori Odom and Harriette Mackenzie. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Penelakut Island Thunder whoop it up after winning the Totem Tournament in Victoria. (Photo by Mable Mitchell)

Thunder rumbles to another soccer championship

First Victoria Totem Tournament title in 23 years for Penelakut Island team

Penelakut Island Thunder whoop it up after winning the Totem Tournament in Victoria. (Photo by Mable Mitchell)
Brennan Smith won the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday crossing the finish line at 32:17 minutes. Jennifer Erickson was the top woman with a time of 37:23. (Contributed photo)

Speedfarm Running Club dominates Westcoast Sooke 10K

Oak Bay runners take first in men and women divisions

Brennan Smith won the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday crossing the finish line at 32:17 minutes. Jennifer Erickson was the top woman with a time of 37:23. (Contributed photo)
A throng of more than 300 passionate fans like the youngster shown here with head coach Sven Eckhardt cheered on Sooke Celtic FC to a win in the opening game of the Division 3 provincial playoffs on Friday. (Contributed photo)

Sooke Celtic FC wins opening round of provincial playoffs

VISL club beats Brazcouver 2-1

A throng of more than 300 passionate fans like the youngster shown here with head coach Sven Eckhardt cheered on Sooke Celtic FC to a win in the opening game of the Division 3 provincial playoffs on Friday. (Contributed photo)
Jonathan Walker from Esprit RC, was first across the finish line for the McLean Mill 10K run on Sunday, April 2, 2023. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)

McLean Mill 10K in Port Alberni sees triumphant return and record runs

Jonathan Walker (Esprit RC) won the race with a time of 33:36

Jonathan Walker from Esprit RC, was first across the finish line for the McLean Mill 10K run on Sunday, April 2, 2023. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)
The under-construction field at the North Langford Elementary School on south Skirt Mountain is set to be completed in the early spring, according to Yari Nielsen, director of the City of Langford’s parks and recreation department. (Black Press Media file photo)

JDF Soccer Association eyes turf as future West Shore needs arise

Club has seen growth in memberships spike over past four to six years

The under-construction field at the North Langford Elementary School on south Skirt Mountain is set to be completed in the early spring, according to Yari Nielsen, director of the City of Langford’s parks and recreation department. (Black Press Media file photo)
Courtenay resident Unya Hollmayer won the Wrestling Canada U-19 championship in the 46 kg class. Photo supplied

Courtenay student wins national wrestling championship

Unya Hollmayer of GP Vanier Secondary brought home gold from U-19 Canadian Wrestling Championships

Courtenay resident Unya Hollmayer won the Wrestling Canada U-19 championship in the 46 kg class. Photo supplied
More than 300 runners enjoyed warm spring conditions last year in the Westcoast Sooke 10K. This year’s event was rescheduled to April 9 after late February snowfall. (Meredith Rose - Vancouver Island Runners Association)

‘Everyone loves Sooke’: Easter weekend 10K event still expected to draw largest crowd yet

Special Easter events on offer for kids

More than 300 runners enjoyed warm spring conditions last year in the Westcoast Sooke 10K. This year’s event was rescheduled to April 9 after late February snowfall. (Meredith Rose - Vancouver Island Runners Association)
Cowichan’s Cole Melady (#20) was the team’s scoring leader following the departure of Luke Strickland earlier in the season. (Todd Blumel photo)

Cowichan Valley Capitals end season on the road

Young Caps one of two BCHL teams to miss the playoffs

Cowichan’s Cole Melady (#20) was the team’s scoring leader following the departure of Luke Strickland earlier in the season. (Todd Blumel photo)