(As of 12:01AM) UPDATED at Noon
BRANDON MANNING:
Defenceman Brandon Manning of Prince George will likely become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
The 27-year-old Manning has been informed by Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall that the team does not intend to bring him back in 2018-19.
The former Prince George Spruce King and Cariboo Cougar spent seven years with the Flyers organization.
He appeared in 65 games this season, notching 19 points (7G, 12A) and 56 penalty minutes.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE:
The Prince George Cougars selected four forwards, four defenceman and a goalie in today’s WHL 2018 Bantam Draft in Red Deer.
Four of the nine players are from Alberta, including forward Craig Armstrong of the Airdrie Extreme, who went 9th overall.
The Cougars chose three players from Manitoba, which included goalie Tyler Brennan, with the 21st overall pick.
Brennan was the first goalie selected in the Draft.
Forward Fisher O’Brien of Prince George became property of the Lethbridge Hurricanes after the Hurricanes selected him in the 5th round of the Bantam Draft, 98th overall.
Fisher’s older brother, Brogan O’Brien, graduated from the PG Cougars this year.
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Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips won two major awards.
The 19-year-old Hart captured the 2017-18 Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year, and he was also named the league’s goalie of the year.
The Philadelphia Flyers 2016 second round draft pick posted a record of 31-6-1-3 to go along with a WHL-leading 1.60 goals-against average, .947 save percentage and seven shutouts.
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The WHL championship will start Friday in Swift Current with the Broncos hosting the Everett Silvertips.
The best-of-seven series for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will be a 2-3-2 format.
Everett is 7-0 on the road in the playoffs.
WHL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:
GAME ONE = Everett @ Swift Current, Friday, May 4th
GAME TWO = Everett @ Swift Current, Saturday, May 5th
GAME THREE = Swift Current @ Everett, Tuesday, May 8th
GAME FOUR = Swift Current @ Everett, Wednesday, May 9th
*GAME FIVE = Swift Current @ Everett, Friday, May 11th
*GAME SIX = Everett @ Swift Current, Sunday, May 13th
*GAME SEVEN = Everett @ Swift Current, Monday, May 14th
*IF NECESSARY
DOYLE CUP JUNIOR HOCKEY:
Spruce Grove Saints 5 Wenatchee Wild 2
(Wenatchee leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 with game five Friday in Spruce Grove. The Doyle Cup winner will advance to the RBC National Junior ‘A’ Championship May 12th to 20th in Chilliwack)
WENATCHEE-SPRUCE GROVE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
GAME ONE – Friday, April 27th in Wenatchee (WILD WIN 3-2 in OT)
GAME TWO – Saturday, April 28th in Wenatchee (WILD WIN 3-0)
GAME THREE – Tuesday, May 1st in Spruce Grove (WILD WIN 4-3)
GAME FOUR – Wednesday, May 2nd in Spruce Grove (SAINTS WIN 5-2)
GAME FIVE – Friday, May 4th in Spruce Grove
*GAME SIX – Saturday, May 5th in Spruce Grove
*GAME SEVEN – Sunday, May 6th in Spruce Grove
*IF NECESSARY
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: (Two games)
San Jose Sharks 4 Vegas Golden Knights 0
(The best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final tied 2-2 with game five Friday night at 7 in Vegas. Martin Jones 34 saves for the shutout)
Tampa Bay Lightning 4 Boston Bruins 1
(Tampa leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final 2-1 with game four Friday (4PM) in Boston)
The other two NHL Conference semis resume tonight: Washington at Pittsburgh (4PM) and Nashville at Winnipeg (6:30). The Capitals and Jets both lead 2-1.
Washington will be without forward Tom Wilson, who was suspended three playoff games for a hit to the head of Pittsburgh forward Zach Aston-Reese.
As a result of the hit, Aston-Reese suffered a broken jaw and a concussion.
DALLAS STARS:
Jim Montgomery will be taking over as head coach of the Dallas Stars, replacing Ken Hitchcock who retired.
Montgomery coached the University of Denver men’s hockey team to a National Championship in 2017.
PRINCE GEORGE SENIOR LACROSSE:
Co-op Petroleum Stylers 13 RPR Mechanical/J.R. Construction Bandits 9
Both teams are 1-1; PG Senior Lacrosse tonight at 8 in Quesnel has the 0-1 Crossfire against the 1-0 Westwood Pub Devils.
NBA: (One playoff game)
Utah Jazz 116 Houston Rockets 107
(Best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final tied 1-1 with game three Friday night at 7:30 in Utah)
There are a pair of NBA games tonight in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals: Cleveland at Toronto (3pmPT) followed by Philadelphia at Boston (5:30).
The Cavaliers and Celtics are up 1-0.
The series between the Warriors and the Pelicans will resume Friday (5pm) in New Orleans with Golden State ahead 2-0.
MLB:
Minnesota Twins 4 Toronto Blue Jays 0
The 17-13 Blue Jays play a make-up doubleheader today in Cleveland.
The Jays have activated all-star third baseman Josh Donaldson from the disabled list.