Charges laid in Victoria Beach killings
By Mark T. Buss
Two men have been arrested in connection with a double homicide in Victoria Beach this past summer where police say one of the victims was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On Oct. 22, an RCMP press conference revealed Mitchell Johanson, 28, from Grand Marais and Nathoniel More-Harrison, 31, from the RM of St. Clements are in custody and facing Second Degree Murder charges four months after two people were shot and killed in what police say was a targeted double homicide in the RM of Victoria Beach.
On June 20 at approximately 2 a.m., Powerview RCMP received a report of a possible shooting on Hampton Road in Victoria Beach, located in the northeast corner of the peninsula that juts out into Lake Winnipeg.
Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of a 41-year-old female and a 29-year-old male from Victoria Beach
The female has been identified as Melissa Wilson. A mother and grandmother, she was a school bus driver for the Sunrise School Division.
The 29-year-old victim has been identified as Sly Thibert, who worked as a commercial fisherman in the area.
Police said at the time a person of interest was reported to be driving a white truck when they fled south on Hwy 59 prior to police arriving on scene.
RCMP say Johanson was arrested in British Columbia on Oct. 7. He has been remanded in custody and returned to Manitoba pending court.
At the RCMP press conference last Wednesday, RCMP S/Sgt. Sean Grunewald said More-Harrison was arrested in Nova Scotia earlier that day. He has been charged and is being returned to Manitoba for court.
Grunewald also said they believe Thibert, who lived at the residence, was the intended target, claiming all four individuals knew each other. He was pressed by media at the news conference over speculation the issue involved a dirt bike. Grunewald could not confirm the statements or a motive as it is an active investigation.
He added however that Wilson was killed for simply being at the residence when the suspects arrived.
“Melissa was living at another residence,” Grunewald said. “She just happened to be there.”
The Powerview RCMP and Victoria Beach Police continue to canvass the area for possible witnesses, surveillance camera footage and searching for any additional evidence that may assist this investigation.
Grunewald said police believe there are people out there who know what happened. He encouraged anyone in the Victoria Beach or Traverse Bay area who heard or know something to come forward.
“We believe there are people out there who have information,” he said. “We hope that now, with two people in custody... hopefully they will do the right thing and come talk to us.”
St. Anthony Petchersky hits the road
Ukrainian Catholic church moved to new home at Lac du Bonnet Museum
By Rick McGregor
St. Anthony Petchersky Ukrainian Catholic Church was on the move last week as the almost 90-year old house of worship was driven to its new home at the Lac du Bonnet District Museum grounds on PR 502.
Hueston Carriers, working in conjunction with Reimer Building Movers, lifted, trailered and moved the church to the museum grounds on Oct. 22. Both Manitoba Hydro and Bell/MTS workers were required to cut power and lower wires to facilitate the move.
Historical Society president Terry Tottle said the main goal is to get the church back to its original condition. This involves removing the insulbrick currently covering the original yellow wood siding, keeping the pointed windows, the double doors and little window above the door, all traditional components of a Ukrainian church. As well, the octagonal tower and “onion dome” will also be restored and reinstalled. The original church pews and altar are still in place. Once done, it will be open during the summers for visitors to explore.
The history involving the church’s namesake goes back 1,000 years. St. Anthony Petchersky was born in 983 in Ljibeck, Ukraine and died in 1073. During his life, he moved to the famed monastic community on Mt. Athos in Greece for several years before moving back to Ukraine in Kiev.
Ukrainian settlers first arrived in Manitoba in the early 1900s and settled in the Brightstone area east of Morski Road on PR 317 on the John Stanko homestead. The Ukrainian Catholic church was built in 1937 on donated land and was built by volunteers using donated materials.
As the original Ukrainian settlers aged, they moved into town, and the new Parish of St. Anthony Petchersky was established in the Town of Lac du Bonnet by 1960. The church was then moved to a lot on Park Avenue in town.
Carol Larsen acquired the church in 1995 and had it moved to her property on PR 520. Marvin Hueston of Hueston Carriers moved the church at that time via PR 211 over the Pinawa bridge as the Lac du Bonnet bridge was too narrow. After her passing, Don Sikora, who grew up across the road from the church’s original location in Brightstone, purchased her property.
In early 2024, the late Gus Wruck, a long-time member of the Lac du Bonnet Historical Society, came up with the idea of moving the church to the museum site. The board agreed and started planning a budget for the move and fundraising to cover the costs. Sikora donated the church and helped with the moving process.
The RM of Lac du Bonnet building inspector had to inspect the church to confirm that it was sound enough to make the move again. During this move, a picture fell of the wall. Everything else arrived intact, a testament to the skill of the movers.
The original estimated budget for the move was about $10,000. Fundraising began in late May of 2024. Raffle tickets were sold and donations were received. Grants were also received from the Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation and the Lac du Bonnet Lions. In the end, $9,200 was raised
Two books about the Ukrainian history of the area also contributed a significant addition to that fundraising. One was a Latvian Heritage booklet published by the Historical Society and the second one was Generations: A Family History written by local historian Jeff Picknicki. Picknicki himself continued the trend of moving, spending time in Malta and Belgium before settling in the Republic of Georgia on the shores of the Black Sea in search of research for his book.
Tottle wanted to thank a number of people for their help with the move, including Marvin and Garrett Hueston, Reimer Building Movers, Manitoba Hydro, Bell/MTS, all the donors and Grant Hein who did a tremendous amount of work on the project.
As total costs will end up being almost double the original budgeted amount due to unforeseen expenses, the Historical Society is still accepting donations through a GoFundMe set up on their website at www.ldbhistorical.ca
Springfield defeats indemnity bylaw
By Tony Zerucha
The RM of Springfield defeated its proposed indemnity bylaw on Oct. 14 after one councillor reversed his vote from first reading and another one did not attend the meeting.
A gap between the indemnity and council expense bylaws led Manitoba’s Auditor General to rule that council members amassed $3,000 in ineligible expenses in 2022.
On Aug. 28, the Auditor General released a 34-page report to Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly that analyzed seven municipalities. It also suggests improvements for provincial oversight of municipalities.
The investigation into Springfield takes up a half-page of the report. Auditor
General staff reviewed the expense reports of council members from January through October, a period concluding with the 2022 municipal election. They compared those reports to RM of Springfield Bylaw 19-02, which governed council indemnities at the time. That bylaw has since been replaced by Bylaw 23-02. Such bylaws are regularly updated.
On Aug. 29, the RM of Springfield released a statement confirming that, according to Indemnity Bylaw 19-02, only time spent in business, and not travel, was claimable. However, councils for several years have been operating under a Council Expense Policy that states, “council members are entitled to be compensated for travel time to and from the authorized event at the per diem rate as set within the council rates and allowance bylaw.”
“While the expense policy has been implemented and followed in practice, the formal update to the indemnity bylaw has not yet been completed,” the Springfield statement read. “We recognize the importance of consistency between policy and legislation, and we are actively working toward harmonizing the indemnity bylaw with the current expense policy.”
The proposed new indemnity bylaw stated the basic annual council indemnity rise from $36,720 to $37,454.40; it rises by two per cent in 2026 (The mayor is paid $10,000 more). An addition sees council members compensated for travel time to and from authorized municipal business functions.
The draft council expense policy also includes language allowing compensation for travel to and from authorized functions. Daily maximums for meals rise from $70 to $100. Council members pay $10 per month towards meals provided for on-site meetings.
First reading for the indemnity bylaw passed 4-1 on Sept. 16, with Coun. Mark Miller opposed. Miller said he campaigned on not accepting increases. Coun. Andy Kuczynski pledged to give his increases to the Springfield Food Bank.
On Oct. 14, Miller said politicians voting on their own salaries is a conflict of interest. Coun. Glen Fuhl said he is fine with allowing councillors to opt out of any increases and agreed with Miller that an outside body should make salary decisions.
Therrien said he is also fine with an opt-out provision, but added that fair compensation is needed to attract people to public service.
“We also have to attract people into the RM to serve as councillors,” Therrien said, adding he will opt into the increase. “We have to attract younger people, so our salaries must be maintaining the cost of living, which is a lot more than two per cent.”
That led to a spirited discussion on who should decide council salary levels. Several times during the discussion, Therrien and Draper had to admonish citizens in the gallery for interrupting the meeting.
Coun. Melinda Warren did not attend the meeting. Kuczynski changed his vote to vote against the indemnity bylaw. The final vote was 2-2. Tied votes are considered defeated.
That leaves Springfield to start over.
“We have to look at what changes we can make to comply with the Auditor General’s report,” CAO Colleen Draper said.
Endow Man. Giving Challenge Nov. 10-16
The Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation encourages residents from Lac du Bonnet and surrounding area to make a gift to the LDB Foundation as part of the Endow Manitoba’s Giving Challenge, from Nov. 10-16.
The Giving Challenge is a major fund-raiser for the Lac du Bonnet & District Community Foundation. All donations received during this event go directly to the LDB Foundation to help build the Foundation’s Endowment Fund. The interest generated from the fund is used to support local community projects that help make Lac du Bonnet and area a more caring and vibrant community today and tomorrow.
The LDB Foundation is pleased to announce that once again, a very generous group of local philanthropists have come forward to finance a Challenge Group Fund. This fund will be used during the Giving Challenge week to encourage donations by matching them dollar for dollar. Last year, the stretch from this group added an additional $16,600 to our fund-raising efforts.
In addition, The Winnipeg Foundation and the Province of Manitoba are committed to the growth of community foundations across Manitoba, by providing a combined 5:2 stretch on the first $10,000 raised. That means a $10 donation could potentially be stretched to $14.
“This is really the best time to support the Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation,” says Janice Leroux, president of the LDB Foundation. “We certainly appreciate donations at any time but giving between Nov. 10-16 means extra support due to the donation matching from our partners. It is always so heart-warming to see the community get behind this event!”
There are many ways that donations can be made during the Giving Challenge. Online gifts can be made securely on the LDB Foundation website at www.lacdubonnetfoundation.ca by clicking “Donate Now”. In person donations can be made by visiting the LDB Foundation booth at the Lac du Bonnet Christmas Craft Sale on Nov. 15.
Donations can also be mailed to the Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation at Box 744, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba R0E 1A0. All cheques should be made out to the Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation and dated between Nov. 10-16.
The Lac du Bonnet Foundation Board would like to thank donors for their very generous support in past years and are looking forward to a successful campaign that will benefit the community of Lac du Bonnet and surrounding area now and well into the future.
Please contact Leroux at info@lacdubonnetfoundation.ca should you have any questions.
Depot Lunch back in print
75 copies of popular cookbook available for Christmas
By Mark T. Buss
More copies of the wildly popular Memories of Depot Lunch fundraising cookbook for East Gate Lodge are available at the personal care home and The Clipper just in time for Christmas.
In 2019, Mel Zabrocki collected the most popular recipes from her time as the proprietor of the ‘Old Bus Depot’ lunch counter and restaurant on Park Avenue and put them into print in a book titled Memories of Depot Lunch. The 200-page book covers virtually all the menu items she used to whip up from her small kitchen over an almost 40-year career.
All proceeds from Memories of Depot Lunch are earmarked for the resident council account at East Gate Lodge in Beausejour – a facility dear to her heart and one where she volunteers her time regularly.
With an original printing of 250 copies through The Clipper in December 2019, the books were sold out in less than three days. A second and third printing of a combined 500 copies likewise sold out in short order, including another 100 in 2022.
Wanting to offer the cook book again for this Christmas, 75 copies of a fifth printing were recently delivered to East Gate Lodge at 646 James Ave. and are being sold at the personal care home and at The Clipper office located at 27 Third Street South in Beausejour. The books are $25 and cash only.
Clipper hosting Shop & Haul grocery contest
By Mark T. Buss
Could your grocery cart use a little boost?
Clipper Publishing is hosting a month-long Shop & Haul readership contest where winners will receive a $100 grocery gift certificate and a Shop Local produce bag to carry the items home.
Every week in the month of November, a grocery item will be hidden in the pages of The Clipper. Jot down the week, page number, grocery item graphic you found, your contact information and circle your grocery store of choice. Fill in all four weeks on your Shop & Haul clip out ballot (found in The Clipper on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6).
Drop off the completed ballots Dec. 1-6 at one of the following locations: Beausejour Co-op, Oakbank Co-op, Dancyt’s LdB or Campbell’s LdB, or at The Clipper offices in Lac du Bonnet (74 Second Street) and Beausejour (27 Third Street South).
Four draws will be made Dec. 8. Each winners will receive one $100 gift certificate for their store of choice and a reusable shopping bag. Each environmentally friendly tote bag is 16x13.25x7.5 inches and made of heavy duty jute material. They are easy to clean and water proof (in light rain) as they are laminated inside with a LDPE liner.
The bags are very strong and can be reused for groceries, gardening or shopping. Cushioned handles makes it easier to carry heavy loads, with winners getting their choice of handle length – standard grocery 16-inch or over the shoulder 23-inch.
The bags will also be screen printed with with the Lac du Bonnet Clipper and Clipper Weekly logos.
For questions or for more information, email admin@clipper or call 204-268-4700.
Firefighters showing holiday spirit
By Andrea Geary
Lac du Bonnet firefighters are playing the role of Santa’s helpers for another year.
Until Nov. 17, they are accepting financial donations for their annual Santa for Seniors project. The money raised is used to buy Christmas gifts for the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home’s 30 residents.
“This has been going on since before COVID – about seven years,” said Santa for Seniors organizer Sheyanna Augustine, who is also a member of the Lac du Bonnet fire department.
“We look for monetary donations. We buy the residents certain gifts that they need,” she said.
Augustine said the gifts are typically useful items and the care centre staff help with planning the purchases.
Manitoba Kinsmen and Access Credit Union make annual donations.
Augustine said the money raised usually totals about $1,200.
Augustine and other fire department members are collecting financial donations at the Shop LDB craft sale at the Lac du Bonnet community centre on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We’ll have a table set up at the door.”
Some local businesses also contribute gift items. All gifts are wrapped and given along with personalized cards. Augustine said the fire fighters work with care centre staff to select a suitable date for the gift delivery but it’s usually in early December.
She said the work involved in the project pays off when residents receive their gifts.
“The smiles on their faces are amazing.”
To make a donation, call or text Augustine at 204-799-4053.
Beausejour Xmas Craft Sale Nov. 7&8
Individuals searching for unique and creative holiday gifts should make tracks for the Beausejour Annual Xmas Craft Show and Sale at the Brokenhead River Community Hall Nov. 7 and 8.
The event is North Eastman’s ‘one stop’ holiday shopping extravaganza. From lawn and garden ornaments to nick-knacks for the home; to special gift sets and kitchen aids, items can be found at the craft show.
Since its inception over 30-plus years ago, the members of the Beausejour Xmas Craft Show committee have been working hard planning and organizing each event as proceeds raised are given back to the community.
In the past, the group has made donations to East Gate Lodge, the Beausejour and District Hospital, KidSport, Brokenhead Outreach for Seniors and many others as well as renovations to the hall.
The holiday shopping event annually brings in over 1,500 participants, who make purchases from as many as 55 vendors.
Chef In the House will be supplying food services and providing hot meals at the event.
Doors will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 8. Admission is $2. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge.
– Staff
New CED coordinator at Community Futures
By Mark T. Buss
Community Futures Winnipeg River is pleased to welcome Allie DePaulo as their new community economic development coordinator.
DePaulo has a passion for building supportive communities. Whether in the workplace or her own neighbourhood, she believes deeply in the power of people to empower, enrich and keep each other connected.
As a dynamic leader with over two decades of experience working with entrepreneurs and local community groups, DePaulo brings a wealth of insight and hands-on knowledge to her role as CED coordinator at Community Futures. Her commitment to empowering local groups and experience in presenting and educating on how to grow an idea, makes her a valuable asset to the organization and the region it serves.
DePaulo is a long-time resident of the RM of Springfield and is a strong advocate for rural initiatives that strengthen communities and make them a place that people want to live, work and play.
Individuals looking for strategic planning for an organization or guidance on a community-based project can reach DePaulo at depaulo@cfwr.mb.ca or call 204-345-2514 or 204-345-8691 to connect and collaborate.
Brokenhead River Arts Council taking shape
By Andrea Geary
Arts and cultural events can foster community spirit, boost tourism and benefit the local economy – all reasons behind the Brokenhead River Arts Council’s formation.
Artists, musicians, creators of all types and everyone who enjoys the arts is invited to a launch party on Nov. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Beausejour Sportsplex’s multi-purpose room. At the launch, the council’s inaugural board of directors will be elected. Local performers will also be featured.
Duane Versluis is on the council’s creation committee and said the group has worked for over a year towards officially establishing the Brokenhead River Arts Council.
“We’re building from the start,” he said. “There’s a lot of folks in our community who do arts.”
Versluis added the annual Beauhead Arts Fest’s five successful years is proof of the creativity existing in the area as well as the community’s willingness to support arts and culture.
The creation committee members have completed the formal documentation required to form an arts council. Versluis said they also recently met with the Town of Beausejour and RM of Brokenhead councils to share information on the arts council’s progress.
“They’re very excited that this is happening,” he said.
Part of the arts council’s mandate is to provide inclusivity for individuals and partner with other local organizations. Versluis said this means working to reduce financial and physical barriers that could prevent people from accessing arts and cultural programs and events.
“We definitely want to engage the youth,” he said. “We’re trying to cast a wide net.”
Grace Myers, a Grade 11 student at École Edward Schreyer School, is excited about the arts council. She’s been drawing and painting since a young age and looks forward to future arts programming through the council.
“I think it’ll open more doors. I’m hoping more artists will get involved in our community,” she said. “It might help people to meet other artists and bring people in the community together.”
Versluis said people who live outside Beausejour and the RM of Brokenhead are welcome to attend the launch party.
“It’s a celebration.”
As well as electing a board, volunteers will be invited to join sub-committees.
Misery Mountain Boys get EMCA toes tapping
By Brian Adolph
Harkening back to the jump-blues era of the 1940s, the Misery Mountain Boys got toes tapping and folks dancing at the Pinawa Community Centre on Oct. 24 with their fresh take on the precursor to rock ’n’ roll.
Drawing from the recently released Somebody Stole My Peaches as well as two previous albums, the Edmonton-based quartet ran through two sets of playful, high-energy swing. Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Steven Genevich – who penned most of the tunes – clearly likes to have fun. Exploring themes from hanging with the Tofino hippies in Mackenzie Beach Campground to the trials of rural plumbing in Haul Your Bath Water and his own obsession with fruit juice in Gimme the Juice, Genevich often had the crowd in stitches with his stories and lyrics.
Backing Genevich was an all-star band comprised of Joe Semple (clarinet and sax), Jon Guenter (drums) and Keith Rempel (bass, backing vocals). Semple, a veteran who cut his musical teeth with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, dazzled the audience with his virtuosity on the “liquorice stick,” while Guenter and Rempel kept it swinging with tight brushwork and punchy walking bass lines. Rempel, a highly regarded bass player in the Canadian music scene, is also known for his blog Blind Dad, where he recounts the challenges and joys of being a visually impaired father.
The Misery Mountain Boys are a top-shelf example of a retro-cool roots group keeping jump-blues and gypsy jazz music alive.
The Eastern Manitoba Concert Association’s next show will be Don Amero Christmas on Nov. 28 in Pinawa.
New owners at Black Bear Golf Club
By Rick McGregor
Lac du Bonnet’s Black Bear Golf Club has new owners.
The Gould family have owned the popular golf course and restaurant for 25 years, but Allan Gould and his wife, Jacquie Morris have decided it is time to retire. The family has owned property on Lee River since the early 1960s. Allan’s father purchased another large piece of land in 1967 and sub-divided that land in 1982 and began selling lots on which the cottages and homes between the golf course and Lee River now sit.
The other section of the land, across the road from those lots remained vacant until 1990 when the Goulds started the process of planning and building a nine-hole golf course. The course was completed in 2000 with the first golfers teeing off in July 2000. Over the next two years, the building that now serves as the pro shop and restaurant was constructed.
Mike and Shauna Angers have had a cottage on Lee River since 2003, and their kids learned to golf at Black Bear. Originally from Neepawa, the Angers describe themselves as a sporting family with golf and hockey being big with the family. Theu daughter Logan currently plays for the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL.
Though they have no experience in running either a golf course or a restaurant, they have been members of a number of courses over the years and consider themselves “foodies.” Their oldest son Jesse is a chef in Winnipeg.
Mike expects the transition to be relatively seamless. Younger son Drew and his girlfriend Shay Hiebert got an early start with both of them working at the course during the past golf season. They are currently looking to buy a place in the Lee River area and will take very active roles in running the business. The Angers also mentioned that the business currently has very good employees that they plan to keep on, utilizing their experience. The Goulds have also agreed to stick around for the first while to offer assistance.
The Angers do not plan on making any significant changes to either the golf course or the restaurant at least in the first year.
“Starting a business like this from scratch is no easy task and Allan and Jacquie have done a great job,” Mike said. “We may make a few tweaks but we’re happy with how it’s been running.”
When asked about a highlight of their time at Black Bear, Allan didn’t hesitate.
“We are members of the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada (NGCOA),” he said. “They have a ‘Best Story in Canada’ contest every year and our ‘Deliver to The River’ concept won third place the year that we came up with that idea.”
The Angers plan to continue that service.
Shauna mentioned that they also plan to continue with popular specialty nights like Pickerel Wednesdays. She then added that they hope to expand that to include occasional special features with son Jesse bringing his culinary skills to the tables periodically.
The official date of the transfer of ownership is Jan. 15, 2026. The Angers are looking forward to this new family adventure.
Comets flash Satelites, drowned by Fishermen
By Tony Zerucha
The Beausejour Comets started slowly but finished strong in a 5-1 win over the North Winnipeg Satelites on Oct. 21.
Down 1-0 after 20 minutes, the Comets tied the game at 3:04 on Lavery Melsted’s second of the season. Maddex Long and Tanner Amos chipped in. Four minutes later, Melsted returned the favour when he and goalie Sawyer Abraham assisted on Long’s fifth of the season.
The goals kept coming, with Nikolas Bear adding his fourth at 11:30 and fifth at 19:02, the second a shorthanded tally. Job Peters earned the assist. Peters finished the scoring with a power-play marker late in the third to seal a 5-1 win.
When he wasn’t setting up goals, Abraham made 27 saves. The Comets took 32 shots at Satelite goalie Jordan Armstrong.
The Comets were hammered 10-2 by the Selkirk Fishermen on Oct. 26. Jaedys Dancyt set up both goals, which were scored by Vaughn Senebald and Tyler Nault. Abraham and Matt Cavanagh split time between the Comets’ pipes. Together, they faced 38 shots. The Comets fired 27 the other way.
Former Powerview-Sagkeeng Wild stars were key to the Fishermen’s win. Ashton Schroeder and Theo Courchene each had a goal and an assist, while Connor Bruyere earned an assist.
The Comets are tied for first place with the Fishermen and St. Malo Warriors with 15 points, though both opponents have games in hand. Those Warriors visit the Comets at 4 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Winterhawks pick up three of four points
By Tony Zerucha
The Springfield Winterhawks gained three of a possible four points as they opened their sophomore SEMHL season over the weekend.
The Winterhawks’ major off-season acquisition paid immediate dividends as the club opened the campaign with a 5-1 triumph over the Morden Bombers on Oct. 24.
Former Ste. Anne Ace Adam Hughesman scored twice in his Winterhawks debut. Hughesman, who finished second in league scoring last season with 53 points in 17 games, has three years of experience in the ECHL and additional time in European leagues.
Winterhawk Trevor Weimer opened the scoring 2:41 into the game. Quinton Howden and newcomer Mathieu Moreira contributed assists. Another former Ace, Moreira potted nine goals in 10 games last season. The MJHL veteran played for the Selkirk Steelers and Winnipeg Blues.
Hughesman got into the act at 10:31. Daniel Giesbrecht and Keith Grondin added helpers. That 2-0 score held into intermission.
Grondin made it 3-0 midway through the second stanza. Curtis Rebeck earned the assist. Seven minutes later, Rebeck added another when he teamed up with Hughesman to set up Lamoureux’s first.
Hughesman made it 5-0 just 24 ticks into the third. Grondin and Owen Blocker made it happen. Morden’s Michael Hlady ruined Steve Christie’s shutout bid at 11:43. Christie faced 30 shots, while the Winterhawks sent 39 the other way.
On Oct. 26, the Winkler Royals staged a late comeback and defeated the Winterhawks 5-4 in overtime.
The Royals started strong, amassing a 2-0 lead in the first period before Carter Barley connected at 19:04. Connor Barley set him up.
That momentum carried over into the second period, with the Winterhawks scoring three goals in a six-minute span early in the frame. Both Barleys and Connor Grunsten were the marksmen.
Winkler slowly came back. They added one later in the second period and tied it at 17:33 of the third, courtesy of Mike Heppner. Heppner was the hero 64 seconds into free hockey when he scored on the power play after Blocker was assessed a match penalty at the end of the third period.
Winkler’s Matthews Thiessen faced 51 shots, while Winterhawk Ashton Howarth saw 33.
The Winterhawks visit the Red River Wild on Nov. 1. The Wild boast several new players, including former St. Malo Warrior sniper Teagan Fillion and goalie Jayden Catellier, an ex-Eastman Select. The next Winterhawk home game is on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. against the Warren Mercs.
Winterhawks’ general manager Steve Gault was busy adding to his team’s arsenal over the off-season. In addition to Hughesman and Moreira, Gault signed ex-Warren Merc Dexter Kuczek, who has 37 goals in 33 career SEMHL games. Kuczek, a four-year veteran of Lakehead University, has 77 career SEMHL points. He’s also a proven playoff performer with 13 goals and 12 assists in 18 contests.
East St. Paul’s Dobie Unrau brings 101 games of MJHL seasoning, mostly with the Swan Valley Stampeders, while Jacob Hofer adds a veteran presence.
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