SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
The International Ice Hockey Federation’s (I-I-H-F) World Under-20 Men’s Hockey Championship starts on Friday and runs through Monday, January 5th, at Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Ten nations are taking part, including Canada. They are split into two pools of five teams each for preliminary round-robin play, followed by straight knock-out playoffs. Canada is in Group B. Among the players on the Canadian roster are forward and Macklin, Saskatchewan, product Cole Reschny. Canada will open their tournament schedule on Friday when they take on Czechia at 7:30 p.m.
**********
The Western Hockey League is off on their Christmas break. Play resumes on Saturday with 11 games, including the Saskatoon Blades hosting the Regina Pats. Game time is 7 p.m. at SaskTel Centre. CJWW’s broadcast begins at 6:45 p.m. with play-by-play at 7 p.m. The Bridge City Bunch have 17 wins, 14 losses, 3 extra time losses for 37 points…good for 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Regina has 11 wins, 17 losses, 3 extra time losses for 26 points…good for 8th place in the East.
The Prince Albert Raiders are idle until Saturday when they visit the Swift Current Broncos. P-A has 23 wins, 5 losses, 4 extra time losses for 50 points…good for 1st place in the Eastern Conference. Swift Current has 8 wins, 23 losses, 1 extra time loss for 17 points…good for 11th place in the East. The Raiders’ next home game is Monday, December 29th against Swift Current. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.
**********
The National Hockey League is off until Saturday when 13 games are scheduled.
**********
The National Lacrosse League is idle until Saturday when Week 5 of the season starts with 4 games, including the Saskatchewan Rush visiting the Halifax Thunderbirds at 5 p.m. The Rush have 2 wins, 1 loss…tied for 3rd place. Halifax has 2 wins, 0 losses…tied for 1st place. Saskatchewan’s next home game is Friday, January 2nd against Halifax. Game time is 7 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.
**********
The National Basketball Association returns to action tomorrow with 5 games. The Toronto Raptors are off until Friday when they visit the Washington Wizards at 6 p.m.
**********
