Local Sports

The St. Paul Canadiens lost the team’s first game of 2011 to the visiting Lloydminster Bandits last Sunday afternoon by a score of 7 – 1.

Six students bounce on the balls of their feet, loose and primed. Mirroring their instructor, they put up their balled fists by their chests. They practice approaching the pink and blue mat, bowing, and entering a fighting stance.

The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs have played two thirds of their 2010-11 regular season, and in my first year covering the team I am thoroughly impressed thus far, for several good reasons. First, let me get to the crowds at the game.

With two thirds of the season complete, the Bonnyville Pontiacs sit third place in the division, something the coaches and players are happy about, but not willing to be satisfied by.

Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs forwards Eric Peterson and Devon Kalinski gave their team a nice holiday gift before the break, as both players picked up four point nights, in the Pontiacs 8-4 win over St. Albert Dec. 22.

Donnie Harris, arguably one of the best defencemen on the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs this season, recently sat down with the Nouvelle.

As a parent to kids in minor hockey, Calvin Bespalko has seen firsthand how in the blink of an eye, a child moves from playing novice to bantam and, with the support of coaching staff, gains so much in skills and confidence along the way.

The holidays offer a perfect time to get outside and make cross-country skiing part of the family’s holiday tradition, according to the president of the Lakeland Cross-Country Ski Club.

PLAYING HI Year Team GP G A PTS PIMS 2009 / 10 _________________________ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 2008 / 09 Selkirk Steelers____________62 17 46 63 108 2007 / 08 Selkirk Steelers____________61 21 47 68 106 Blair Hawes joins the Voyageurs from Selkirk, Man

Family, friends, and former teammates describe former Bonnyville Junior A Pontiac Matt Cook as courageous, always positive and just a great human being.