The Virden Oil Capitals dropped a 5-4 decision to the Steinbach Pistons Wednesday night at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Cooper Rice scored 22 seconds into overtime for the Pistons who lead the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's best-of-seven semifinal two games to one. David Bielik, Trevor Hunt, Dylan Halliday and Braden Fischer did the goal scoring for the Oil Capitals. Fischer notched his 8th of the playoffs on a penalty shot with 17 seconds left in regulation. That penalty shot was awarded after the referees ruled that a Steinbach player covered the puck in the crease with his glove. Game four goes tonight also at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Trent Sambrook had a goal and two assists as the Winkler Flyers edged Dauphin 5-4. That cuts the Kings lead in that series to two games to one. 


Hockey Canada and its board of directors announced Wednesday the retirement of chief executive officer Tom Renney effective July 1, 2022. Renney joined Hockey Canada as president and chief executive officer in July 2014, overseeing all areas of the organization including high performance and hockey development programs both nationally and internationally, as well as corporate sales, events and marketing, membership services and operations. In 2017, he stepped down from his position as president and appointed Scott Smith to the role, adding to Smith’s responsibilities as chief operating officer. Prior to his current role, Renney served as vice-president of hockey operations with the organization from 1998 to 2000. During his time as chief executive officer, Renney has helped guide Canada’s national men’s, women’s and para hockey teams to 28 medals in international competition - nine gold, 15 silver and four bronze - including gold and silver in the women’s tournament at the 2022 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games, respectively. He also helped Canada win silver at the 2018 and 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, and bronze in the men’s tournament at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Smith will succeed Renney as chief executive officer while retaining his title of president.


The Winnipeg Jets, who face the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh tonight, will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2016-2017 season. With the Vegas Golden Knights beating the Washington Capitals 4-3 in overtime Wednesday night, the Jets have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Winnipeg is ten points behind the Dallas Stars who are in the second Western Conference Wild Card playoff spot with five games remaining, but since Dallas and Vegas, who are two points behind them in third place, meet on Tuesday, it is mathematically impossible for the Jets to catch the Wild Card playoff spots.


The National Hockey League will hold its draft lottery on May 10th. It will determine the order of selection for the first 16 picks. Eleven teams will have a chance at winning the top pick. The draft is scheduled for July 7th and 8th in Montreal.


Sport Manitoba's Night of Champions returns as an in-person event tonight at Club Regent Casino & Event Centre in Winnipeg with a new program that rolls the annual coaching, athlete, team, volunteer and officials awards, as well as new Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame inductions, into one signature event. The Hall of Fame inductees include Marilyn Fraser, Ed Werenich, Paul Robson, Ruth Klassen and Baxter Humby.