PGA
Corey Conners, ranked 196th on the PGA Tour and playing in only his 56th event, became the 15th Canadian golfer to win on tour when he captured the Valero Texas Open going away last weekend. In an absolutely incredible round of golf on Sunday that resembled a roller coaster that included 4 straight birdies, followed by 4 consecutive bogeys, followed by 6 birdies on the back nine. For his efforts, Conners pockets a sum of $1.35 million, call it a honeymoon gift for his newlywed. Almost as important, he now qualifies to play in the Masters at Augusta, which is going on right now.
SWBL
The league may have a slightly different look this season as they may be accepting a new team from Bottineau, North Dakota. Not since the days of the Minot Merchants and Rolla Nodaks of the now defunct MSBL (way back in my playing days) has there been an American baseball team playing in a league in Manitoba. Let's hope they get the green light.
NHL
The week after the NHL season ends always begins with the annual ritual (cue the music) of playing the game of musical chairs, whereby coaches whose teams have not done well are fired and are replaced by coaches who have already been fired. There are currently six coaching vacancies available; Buffalo, L.A., Ottawa, Anaheim, Philly and Chicago, with I'm sure more to come. Joel Quennville got the Panther's job.
The long awaited playoffs are finally underway, so reach into your pockets and take out a little coin and I'll tell you who's going to win. In the West, the Predators will shoot down the falling Stars, the Flames will snuff out the Avalanche, the Golden Knights will reel in a Shark (s) while the Jets will fly high over the red hot Blues.
Over in the East, the Lightning will strike down the Jackets, the Leafs will be blown away by the Bruins, Washington will survive a Hurricane and my Islanders will send the Penguins back to Antarctica.
NCHL
The NCHL will also have a different look next season with one team taking a one year leave of absence while two new teams will join the league. The Foxwarren Falcons will sit out the next dance while Waywayseecappo and Langenberg (Sk.) will make it a 10-team league. Until next time....
