(As of 12:01AM)
HUMBOLDT BRONCOS:
Nipawin Hawks 2 Humboldt Broncos 1
An emotional opening night for the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL.
The names and numbers of those involved in the Broncos bus crash were raised to the rafters as the team began its new season in front of a capacity crowd and international television audience.
Family members and fans cheered through tears as 29 yellow and green banners were lifted, honouring the 13 survivors and remembering the 16 the passed away.
One of the many touching moments was when Scott Thomas addressed the crowd after the game on behalf of the families. His son Evan was killed in the accident.
“On behalf of all our sons and daughters, our fathers, brothers and sisters, our nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles — we want to thank everyone in this building tonight and everyone at home watching on TV,” he said.
The Broncos will board a bus again and head to Nipawin for a rematch on Friday.
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Defenceman Cole Beamin, who is an affiliate player with the Prince George Cougars, scored Nipawin’s opening goal, which tied the game 1-1.
The 17-year-old Beamin played two games with the Cougars last season.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS:
The Prince George Cougars play their final exhibition game on Saturday when they host the Kamloops Blazers.
The Cougars are 3-1 in the pre-season after a pair of victories in Langley; 7-3 over the Vancouver Giants and 3-2 over the Victoria Royals.
Prince George will start its regular season on Friday, September 21st in Victoria.
The home opener for the Cougars will be against the Kelowna Rockets on September 28th.
PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS:
The 2-0 Prince George Spruce Kings have home games Friday and Saturday against the 1-1 Coquitlam Express.
The Spruce Kings started with a pair of victories over the Chilliwack Chiefs; 5-1 and 2-1.
CARIBOO COUGARS:
The BC Major Midget League regular season schedule is out.
The Cariboo Cougars play the first of their 40 games when they host the Valley West Hawks September 22nd (4PM) and 23rd (10:30AM) at Kin 1.
NHL:
The NHL has suspended Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson without pay for the first 27 games of the regular season for domestic abuse.
Watson pleaded no contest in July to a charge of domestic assault stemming from an incident with his girlfriend in June.
The NHL Players’ Association says it will appeal the suspension.
UNBC TIMBERWOLVES:
(CANADA WEST WOMEN’S SOCCER)
The UNBC Timberwolves have their Canada West women’s soccer home opener Friday night at 6 at Masich Place Stadium against the 1-1 Regina Cougars.
The 0-1-1 Lady Timberwolves also host 0-0-2 Saskatchewan Huskies Sunday morning at 11.
(CANADA WEST MEN’S SOCCER)
The 0-1-2 UNBC men’s soccer team will visit the 2-2 Saskatchewan Huskies on Sunday.
The UNBC men played to a 3-3 tie and 2-1 loss at home against the Trinity Western Spartans.
The official re-opening of Masich Place Stadium will be held on Friday, September 21st at 6PM just prior to the UNBC men’s soccer team hosting Lethbridge.
MUD BOGS:
The second annual Mud, Sweat and Gears Mud Bogs will be featured at Nitro Motorsports Park Saturday and Sunday.
Gates open at 9AM with racing from 10-6.
Over 50 racers from all over B.C. are expected to compete.
More info. from Tony Wiebe at his email [email protected] or call 250-981-2380.
NFL:
An AFC North match-up in Thursday night football with the Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Both teams won their opener.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says his sprained knee has been “pretty sore the last three days.”
Rodgers did not take part in practice on Wednesday but remains hopeful he can play in Sunday’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings.
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The Buffalo Bills are changing quarterbacks after just one game.
Rookie Josh Allen will start Sunday’s home opener against the LA Chargers.
Nathan Peterman is going to the bench after completing 5 of 18 passes for just 24 yards in the 47-3 loss to Baltimore.
CFL:
(WEEK 14)
B.C. Lions at Montreal (Friday 4:30 PT)
Calgary at Hamilton (Saturday 1:00)
Ottawa at Saskatchewan (Saturday 6:30)
WEST:
Calgary 9-2, Saskatchewan 7-4, Edmonton 7-5, Winnipeg 5-7, B.C. 4-6
EAST:
Ottawa 6-5, Hamilton 6-5, Toronto 3-8, Montreal 3-8
MLB:
Boston Red Sox 1 Toronto Blue Jays 0
The Red Sox reach the 100-win mark for the first time in 72 years (since 1946).
Boston still has 16 games left.
The (65-80) Blue Jays are 0-2 on a nine-game road trip.
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San Diego Padres 5 Seattle Mariners 4
The (79-66) Mariners, with just 17 games left, are 9 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second and final AL wild-card spot.
The A’s are 34-15 since the All-Star break.
Oakland is three games behind Houston in the AL West.
Seattle finished 3-5 on an eight-game homestand.
The Mariners start a 10-game road trip tonight against the LA Angels.