Local Sports

Panther Kyle Brown lifts the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy after the Peninsula Panthers came from behind to win Game 6 against the Oceanside Generals 4-3 in overtime Friday night. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Peninsula Panthers claim VIJHL crown with overtime victory

Victory comes almost four months after death of teammate Grant Gilbertson

Panther Kyle Brown lifts the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy after the Peninsula Panthers came from behind to win Game 6 against the Oceanside Generals 4-3 in overtime Friday night. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)
Victoria Grizzlies forward Connor Eddy stands in front of Langley Rivermen goalie Ajeet Gundarah Friday night during game one of the first BCHL playoff series in Langley. (Garrett James BCHL/Twitter)

Grizzlies fall 3-2 to Langley Rivermen in first playoff match-up

Game 2 of the opening series is scheduled for Saturday night in Langley

Victoria Grizzlies forward Connor Eddy stands in front of Langley Rivermen goalie Ajeet Gundarah Friday night during game one of the first BCHL playoff series in Langley. (Garrett James BCHL/Twitter)
Pacific FC CEO Rob Friend (middle) speaks at a season kickoff event. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Pacific FC already looking to the future after Canadian Premier League title

The Langford-based team held a season kickoff event Thursday

Pacific FC CEO Rob Friend (middle) speaks at a season kickoff event. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Panther Ryan Grambart (24) and General Brett Arnet along with rest of the respective teams will face off again Friday night at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre for Game 6 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League finals after the Generals blitzed the Panthers 7-4 Wednesday. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League finals return to North Saanich for Game 6

Oceanside Generals beat Peninsula Panthers 7-4 in Game 5

Panther Ryan Grambart (24) and General Brett Arnet along with rest of the respective teams will face off again Friday night at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre for Game 6 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League finals after the Generals blitzed the Panthers 7-4 Wednesday. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)
UVic Vikes David Waller, Benjamin Seshadri, Anton Kuipers and Jack Boden seen at the top of the podium following their 4 x 800-metre relay victory at the 2022 Canada West University Championships. The team will compete at nationals in New Brunswick from March 31 to April 2. (Courtesy of University of Victoria)

UVic Vikes track athletes chasing national gold starting Thursday

Seven University of Victoria runners to compete at U Sports Championships

UVic Vikes David Waller, Benjamin Seshadri, Anton Kuipers and Jack Boden seen at the top of the podium following their 4 x 800-metre relay victory at the 2022 Canada West University Championships. The team will compete at nationals in New Brunswick from March 31 to April 2. (Courtesy of University of Victoria)
Logan Speirs, here seen Friday, scored two goals Sunday as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Oceanside Generals 2-1 to win Game 3 of the VIJHL finals. They could sweep the Generals and win the league Monday night. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Peninsula Panthers on verge of winning VIJHL final

Panthers could sweep Generals with home ice advantage in Game 4 at Panorama Recreation Centre

Logan Speirs, here seen Friday, scored two goals Sunday as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Oceanside Generals 2-1 to win Game 3 of the VIJHL finals. They could sweep the Generals and win the league Monday night. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)
The Camosun Chargers men’s volleyball team celebrated a gold medal win at the Canadian College Athletic Association championships in Quebec on Sunday. Camosun defeated the host Titans de Limoilu 3-0 in the final match. (Photo courtesy of Marc Antoine Halle)

Camosun Chargers sweep their way to national men’s volleyball championship title

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship sealed Sunday with 3-0 win

The Camosun Chargers men’s volleyball team celebrated a gold medal win at the Canadian College Athletic Association championships in Quebec on Sunday. Camosun defeated the host Titans de Limoilu 3-0 in the final match. (Photo courtesy of Marc Antoine Halle)
Hunter Jensen looks to make a pass during Game 4 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final Monday at Panorama Recreation Centre. The Panthers lost 5-2 to miss a chance to sweep the Oceanside Generals. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Twitter)

Brooms set aside, but Peninsula Panthers still in driver’s seat in VIJHL final

Generals avoid sweep with 5-2 win Monday at Panorama, game 5 shifts to Parksville

Hunter Jensen looks to make a pass during Game 4 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final Monday at Panorama Recreation Centre. The Panthers lost 5-2 to miss a chance to sweep the Oceanside Generals. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Twitter)
Canada players celebrate their win against Sweden during the women's soccer gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced the roster for a pair of women's friendly matchups against Nigeria set to take place in B.C. next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada sets roster for women’s soccer celebration match in Langford

Canadians host Nigeria at Vancouver’s B.C. Place and at Starlight Stadium

Canada players celebrate their win against Sweden during the women's soccer gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced the roster for a pair of women's friendly matchups against Nigeria set to take place in B.C. next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
First-year Vikes swimmer and breaststroke specialist Sophie Tarrant competes at the U Sports Swimming Championships in Quebec City last weekend. Tarrant won bronze in the 200-metre final and set new school records in three different events. (Don Voaklander/courtesy of University of Victoria)

UVic swimmers best 12 school records at first U Sports championship since pandemic

Sophie Tarrant takes bronze in 200-metre breaststroke at Quebec City meet

First-year Vikes swimmer and breaststroke specialist Sophie Tarrant competes at the U Sports Swimming Championships in Quebec City last weekend. Tarrant won bronze in the 200-metre final and set new school records in three different events. (Don Voaklander/courtesy of University of Victoria)
Royals’ Kalem Parker tries to get away from a Prince George player during a March 26 game against the Cougars at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The Royals lost this game 3-0 but beat Prince George 4-2 on Friday. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)

Victoria Royals hold steady in standings after WHL home split with Prince George

Final Western Conference playoff spots are still up for grabs

Royals’ Kalem Parker tries to get away from a Prince George player during a March 26 game against the Cougars at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The Royals lost this game 3-0 but beat Prince George 4-2 on Friday. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)
More than 300 runners enjoyed warm spring conditions Sunday in the Westcoast Sooke River 10K, the fifth race in the Vancouver Island Race Series. The race – hosted by Westcoast Running – was won by Logan Roots and Christine Bant. (Meredith Rose - Vancouver Island Runners Association)

Islanders win men’s, women’s Sooke 10K race

Logan Roots and Christine Bant top podium

More than 300 runners enjoyed warm spring conditions Sunday in the Westcoast Sooke River 10K, the fifth race in the Vancouver Island Race Series. The race – hosted by Westcoast Running – was won by Logan Roots and Christine Bant. (Meredith Rose - Vancouver Island Runners Association)
Nanaimo United players celebrate a goal in the 118th minute of the Jackson Cup final against Bays United in Langford on Saturday, March 26. (Vancouver Island Soccer League image)

Nanaimo United repeats as Vancouver Island’s Jackson Cup soccer champions

Div. 1 men defeat Bays United 2-1 late in extra time

Nanaimo United players celebrate a goal in the 118th minute of the Jackson Cup final against Bays United in Langford on Saturday, March 26. (Vancouver Island Soccer League image)
Captain Riley Braun scored twice and added three assists as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Oceanside Generals 6-1 Friday night at North Saanich Panorama Recreation Centre to take a two-game lead in the finals of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Peninsula Panthers deep-six Oceanside Generals to lead VIJHL finals by two games

The Peninsula Panthers play Game 3 Sunday in Parksville and host Game 4 Monday in North Saanich

Captain Riley Braun scored twice and added three assists as the Peninsula Panthers beat the Oceanside Generals 6-1 Friday night at North Saanich Panorama Recreation Centre to take a two-game lead in the finals of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
UVic Vikes track and field team members David Waller, Benjamin Seshadri, Anton Kuipers and Jack Boden stand atop the podium following their win in the 4 x 800-metre relay at the Canada West University Championships in Winnipeg. (Courtesy of University of Victoria)

UVic track earn two gold, five medals at Canada West Championships

Brandon Vail in the 3,000 metres and men’s 4 x 800 relay team run to top of podium

UVic Vikes track and field team members David Waller, Benjamin Seshadri, Anton Kuipers and Jack Boden stand atop the podium following their win in the 4 x 800-metre relay at the Canada West University Championships in Winnipeg. (Courtesy of University of Victoria)
Daryl Crocker has managed the speedway for the past seven seasons. (Courtesy Wildlight Motorsports Photography)

Westshore Motorsports Park’s final season in Langford spins into high gear

General manager Daryl Crocker looks ahead at final season’s schedule

Daryl Crocker has managed the speedway for the past seven seasons. (Courtesy Wildlight Motorsports Photography)
Runners prepare for the Westcoast Sooke 10K, the 2022 edition of which happens this Sunday (March 27). (Courtesy of Vancouver Island Runners Association)

Fifth race in Island Race Series comes to Sooke this Sunday

Signups end Friday for Sooke River Run 10K, based at Edward Milne School on March 27

Runners prepare for the Westcoast Sooke 10K, the 2022 edition of which happens this Sunday (March 27). (Courtesy of Vancouver Island Runners Association)
The Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars, seen here in action earlier this month, play another critical back-to-back series this weekend at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as the Western Hockey League regular season winds down. (Courtesy of Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals improve WHL playoff chances with pair of wins over Kelowna

Capital city team holds seventh place in the Western Conference with seven games to go

The Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars, seen here in action earlier this month, play another critical back-to-back series this weekend at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as the Western Hockey League regular season winds down. (Courtesy of Victoria Royals)
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to before game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers on Wednesday at Oceanside Place. The Panthers won 2-1 and host game 2 on Friday (March 25). (Michael Briones/Black Press Media)

Peninsula Panthers grab early VIJHL final lead with 2-1 win in Parksville

Riley Braun scores winner late against Oceanside; Panthers host game 2 Friday

Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne and Qualicum Beach Mayor Brian Wiese drop ceremonial pucks to before game 1 of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League final between Oceanside Generals and Peninsula Panthers on Wednesday at Oceanside Place. The Panthers won 2-1 and host game 2 on Friday (March 25). (Michael Briones/Black Press Media)
Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Independent review paints damning, dysfunctional picture of Rugby Canada

‘Culture of Rugby Canada and the high-performance program is described as ‘empty’ or ‘non-existent”

Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito