The Saanich Braves junior B squad is gearing up for a new hockey season under the leadership of newly named captain Jack Rachwalski. Saanich hockey fans can get a look at the next generation of Braves when the team holds on-ice practices from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Braves then head to Juan De Fuca Arena for an exhibition game against the Westshore Wolves on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. The Braves head up the Peninsula to open the season on Friday, Sept. 4 with a game at the Panorama Recreation Centre against the Peninsula Panthers at 7:30 p.m.
Saanich hockey fans hoping to take in the Kraft Hockeyville NHL pre-season game between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks Sept. 21 can enter a supervised public lottery over the coming week at Panorama Recreation Centre. Come in person to place your ballot for a chance to win two tickets to the game: Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Sunday, Sept. 6 from noon to 6 p.m. You must be 19 years of age or over and provide photo ID proof of age. Residents of the Saanich Peninsula will be required to provide proof of residence to enter a ballot in the residents’ draw. The tickets will be drawn Sept. 9 and with winners posted Sept. 10 on the North Saanich Kraft Hockeyville Facebook page and in the Panorama Recreation Centre Arena lobby.
Come to Pearkes Recreation Centre today (Friday, Aug. 28) for a hotdog lunch and help Edges on Ice support the Tour de Rock fundraising campaign to fight childhood cancer. Stop by from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and get two hotdogs and a drink for $5.
Saanich cricket fans can get one of their last glimpses of the season on Saturday, when Saanich plays Metchosin at Beacon Hill Park and the Incogs also take on the Islanders at St. Michaels University School. On Sunday, the Beacon Hill pitch hosts Albion and the Colts. All games start at 12:30 p.m.
The University of Victoria men’s soccer team continues exhibition play Saturday when they take on Oak Bay at 2 p.m. on UVic Field 4. The UVic Women’s team plays later that day versus the U-15 HPL Boys team. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. at Centennial field.
Interested in becoming a soccer referee? The Vancouver Island Soccer League is looking for referees at entry level 11-a-side soccer. Upon completion of the clinic you’ll be classified as a youth referee (14 or 15 years old) or a district referee (16 years old or older). You can attend the clinic at Braefoot Park Aug. 28 to 30. To register, visit www.bcsoccer.net/referee-clinics.
Looking forward to baseball season, the Victoria Mariners have launched their Bantam Premier team which joins the already established Junior Premier and Premier Teams. An introduction and assessments for the coming 2016 season continue this weekend at the Layritz bantam field. For additional information visit victoriamariners.pointstreaksites.com/view/victoriamariners.
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Devon Gall is a local athlete, avid sports fan and Mt. Doug Secondary grad. Email your sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.