Sports

Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, back, stands on the bench behind Connor McDavid, front from left to right, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on November 6, 2023. Connor McDavid has played for five coaches in his nine NHL seasons. He's watched four walk out the door. "It's very hard," the Edmonton Oilers captain said of a bench boss getting fired. "Professional sports, people sometimes forget the human side of it. There's a relationship there. "These are people with families and it's hard." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL firings part of the show for fans, for players and coaches it’s different

Real everyday relationships change when a coach gets shown the door

Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, back, stands on the bench behind Connor McDavid, front from left to right, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on November 6, 2023. Connor McDavid has played for five coaches in his nine NHL seasons. He's watched four walk out the door. "It's very hard," the Edmonton Oilers captain said of a bench boss getting fired. "Professional sports, people sometimes forget the human side of it. There's a relationship there. "These are people with families and it's hard." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser, back right, celebrates his second goal as Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev skates past during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Boeser moves into tie for NHL goal-scoring lead as Canucks beat Bolts 4-1

Vancouver forward scores hat trick; Hughes adds 3 assists

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser, back right, celebrates his second goal as Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev skates past during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada forward Macklin Celebrini breaks up ice in practice during Canadian World Juniors selection camp in Oakville, Ont., on Monday, December 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C.’s Celebrini attracting attention at world junior hockey camp

Any doubts about about potential No. 1 overall NHL draft pick are quickly evaporating

Canada forward Macklin Celebrini breaks up ice in practice during Canadian World Juniors selection camp in Oakville, Ont., on Monday, December 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Lataisha Maynard owns Feral Strength Training in Comox. Photo by Ali Roddam

Vancouver Island strongwoman encourages fitness at any age and ability

Comox Valley mom Lataisha Maynard finds strength in gym community

Lataisha Maynard owns Feral Strength Training in Comox. Photo by Ali Roddam
Mill Bay’s Evan Russell powers his way to first place in the men’s field at the National Cyclocross Championships in Victoria on Nov. 25. (Dave Miller/4iiii Innovations Inc.)

Vancouver Islander wins National Cyclocross Championships

Mill Bay’s Evan Russell rode to a commanding victory at event in Langford

  • Dec 11, 2023
Mill Bay’s Evan Russell powers his way to first place in the men’s field at the National Cyclocross Championships in Victoria on Nov. 25. (Dave Miller/4iiii Innovations Inc.)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) shake hands following an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bills won 20-17 (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Analysis: Officiating again stole the spotlight even though the call against the Chiefs was correct

Travis Kelce and Kadarius Toney had combined to make the play of…

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) shake hands following an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Bills won 20-17 (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
VIU Mariners player Katelynn Forner looks to pass the ball during a PacWest game against the Camosun Chargers at the Vancouver Island University gym last month. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

VIU basketball teams finish fall in first place

Mariners women are 12-0, M’s men are 11-1

VIU Mariners player Katelynn Forner looks to pass the ball during a PacWest game against the Camosun Chargers at the Vancouver Island University gym last month. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes the save as Brady Skjei, left, checks Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Canucks hang on to beat visiting Carolina Hurricanes 4-3

Tampa Bay Lightning pay visit to B.C. on Tuesday

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes the save as Brady Skjei, left, checks Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani talks with his translator Ippei Mizuhara, right, in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ashley Landis

Blue Jays fans ‘heartbroken’ after Ohtani signs with Los Angeles Dodgers

Ohtani agreed to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani talks with his translator Ippei Mizuhara, right, in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ashley Landis
FIOLE - Spain players celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, competing against an expected proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

U.S. and Mexico submit joint bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup

They are competing against a proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan

FIOLE - Spain players celebrates after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation submitted a joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, competing against an expected proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
Jordan Pierre-Gilles of Canada reacts after winning the 500-metre final race at the World Cup short track speedskating event in Montreal, Saturday, October 28, 2023. Pierre-Gilles won gold on Saturday at the World Cup stop in Beijing, China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canada wins gold, bronze at short track speedskating World Cup stop in Beijing

A pair of Canadian women also earned top-10 finishes on Saturday

Jordan Pierre-Gilles of Canada reacts after winning the 500-metre final race at the World Cup short track speedskating event in Montreal, Saturday, October 28, 2023. Pierre-Gilles won gold on Saturday at the World Cup stop in Beijing, China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
VISAS instructors with new alpine student at 2023 Herb Bradley Festival. Photo supplied

Registration open for annual adaptive snowsports festival on Mt. Washington

Every January, the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS) invites those…

  • Dec 9, 2023
VISAS instructors with new alpine student at 2023 Herb Bradley Festival. Photo supplied
The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)

B.C. teams still in mix at Canadian senior curling finals in Vernon

Final draw at 6 p.m. Friday to determine final four placings in both women’s and men’s draws

The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)
FILE - St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tyler O’Neill dives to catch a fly ball by Washington Nationals’ Lane Thomas for an out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in St. Louis. The Boston Red Sox acquired O’Neill from the Cardinals on Friday, Dec. 8. ,2023, bringing in a two-time Gold Glove winner to replace the departing Alex Verdugo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Gold Glove B.C. outfielder Tyler O’Neill dealt to the Boston Red Sox

St. Louis Cardinals acquire a pair of pitchers in the trade

FILE - St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Tyler O’Neill dives to catch a fly ball by Washington Nationals’ Lane Thomas for an out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in St. Louis. The Boston Red Sox acquired O’Neill from the Cardinals on Friday, Dec. 8. ,2023, bringing in a two-time Gold Glove winner to replace the departing Alex Verdugo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)

Hockey Fights Cancer: Vancouver Island youth skates with the Canucks

A handful of cancer survivors were invited to attend the Canucks versus Ducks game

Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)
Surrey’s Noah Juulsen is hoping to establish himself as an NHL regular with the Canucks. photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks

THE MOJ: B.C.’s Juulsen dealing with the pressure of becoming a regular

In year 7, Lower Mainland product still trying to prove himself as an everyday player

Surrey’s Noah Juulsen is hoping to establish himself as an NHL regular with the Canucks. photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks
Santa Margarita triumphed over Byrne Creek 83-42. (Langley Events Centre/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Teams being knocked out of basketball contention

Tsumura Basketball Invitational Boys Tournament runs through Sunday at Langley Events Centre

  • Dec 7, 2023
Santa Margarita triumphed over Byrne Creek 83-42. (Langley Events Centre/Special to Langley Advance Times)
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)
Megan Sampson has wanted to be a professional athlete since she was young. She has now been given the opportunity to compete at the RBC Training Ground Top 100. Sampson will find out on Dec 18 if she will go further in the competition. (Photo supplied/RBC Training Ground)

‘It is easy to crash into the walls’: B.C. teen eyes Olympic status

More than 2,200 young athletes have been a part of the program

Megan Sampson has wanted to be a professional athlete since she was young. She has now been given the opportunity to compete at the RBC Training Ground Top 100. Sampson will find out on Dec 18 if she will go further in the competition. (Photo supplied/RBC Training Ground)
The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. The team has clinched a spot into the eight-team championship pool. (Contributed)

B.C. rinks into championship round at Canadian Sr. Curling Finals in Vernon

Wes Craig of Duncan, Diane Gushulak of New West will advance from round robin; Saskatchewan teams 6-0

The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. The team has clinched a spot into the eight-team championship pool. (Contributed)