Sports

(Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: Day 1 — Ponoka Stampede opening night

June 27 evening pro rodeo performance

The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Avalanche dethrone Lightning in 6 games to win Stanley Cup for 3rd time

Lehkonen scores winning goal for Colorado

Colorado Avalanche centre Nazem Kadri (91) checks Colorado Avalanche centre Alex Newhook (18) during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)

Avs 1 win away from Stanley Cup after Kadri’s OT tally in Game 4 versus Lightning

3-2 victory gives Colorado a chance to win title at home on Friday

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews poses with the Hart Trophy, left, and Ted Lindsay Award after the NHL hockey awards Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the leagues’ most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay award is giving the the most outstanding player. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Auston Matthews wins Hart Trophy as NHL’s most valuable player

Toronto star finishes well ahead of Edmonton’s Connor McDavid

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews poses with the Hart Trophy, left, and Ted Lindsay Award after the NHL hockey awards Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Hart Trophy is presented annually to the leagues’ most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay award is giving the the most outstanding player. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli (71) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Lightning bounce back, beat Avalanche 6-2 in Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

Colorado still holds 2-1 series lead

Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli (71) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 20, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Musqueam First Nation Chief Wayne Sparrow, from left to right, Pavco Board Chair Gwendolyn Point, Squamish Nation councillor Wilson Williams, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas and other dignitaries and politicians react after Vancouver was chosen as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at B.C. Place stadium in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Toronto among host cities for 2026 World Cup, Edmonton snubbed

The 2026 World Cup is coming to Vancouver and Toronto, but fans…

Musqueam First Nation Chief Wayne Sparrow, from left to right, Pavco Board Chair Gwendolyn Point, Squamish Nation councillor Wilson Williams, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas and other dignitaries and politicians react after Vancouver was chosen as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, at B.C. Place stadium in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) during the second quarter of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Warriors beat Boston Celtics 103-90 to win 4th NBA title in 8 years

Finals MVP Stephen Curry leads Golden State with 34 points

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) during the second quarter of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Cheers broke out at B.C. Place on Thursday (June 16, 2022) as Vancouver was selected as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city as part of a North American joint bid. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)

Vancouver chosen to host FIFA World Cup in 2026 as part of North American bid

Vancouver will get five pre-games, but FIFA has yet to confirm the total number of games

Cheers broke out at B.C. Place on Thursday (June 16, 2022) as Vancouver was selected as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city as part of a North American joint bid. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) deflects a shot next to Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Avalanche edge Lightning 4-3 in OT to open Stanley Cup Final

Burakovsky nets winner for Colorado 1:23 into extra frame

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) deflects a shot next to Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) shoots, scoring against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen (19) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. The Stars won 5-3. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Mikko Koskinen signs two-year deal in Switzerland after four seasons with Oilers

The goaltender has signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano,

Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) shoots, scoring against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen (19) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. The Stars won 5-3. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jake Vold. (File photos)

Central Alberta names to watch for at Ponoka Stampede

Ponoka Stampede welcomes some of the finest athletes in rodeo sport

  • Jun 25, 2022
Jake Vold. (File photos)
Wetaskiwin Warriors junior and senior girls team pose with the senior girls’ Midget Girls Tier 1 Division Championship trophy. (Shaela Dansereau/ Pipestone Flyer)

Wetaskiwin Warriors girls football teams finish season on a high note

The Wetaskiwin Warriors girls football teams have wrapped up their first post-pandemic…

Wetaskiwin Warriors junior and senior girls team pose with the senior girls’ Midget Girls Tier 1 Division Championship trophy. (Shaela Dansereau/ Pipestone Flyer)
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke knows that taking over the starter spot isn't going to be easy. Not only is the 24-year-old Ohio product under the spotlight as a rare Canadian QB, he's also stepping into a role vacated by Michael Reilly, the man who led the league in passing last season. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions look to capitalize on continuity heading into 2022 campaign

Nathan Rourke steps in at QB after Michael Reilly retired in January after 11 CFL seasons

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke knows that taking over the starter spot isn't going to be easy. Not only is the 24-year-old Ohio product under the spotlight as a rare Canadian QB, he's also stepping into a role vacated by Michael Reilly, the man who led the league in passing last season. Rourke passes during the first half of a pre-season CFL football game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Davies scores 2, Canada tops Curaçao 4-0 in CONCACAF Nations League play

Steven Vitoria and Lucas Cavallini each added a goal for winners

Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. After a drama-filled week away from the field, Canada’s men’s soccer team will finally take the field in front of hometown fans again tonight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada national soccer team takes on Curaçao today as contract talks continue

B.C. Place hosts CONCACAF Nations League match as sides attempt to address concerns

Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. After a drama-filled week away from the field, Canada’s men’s soccer team will finally take the field in front of hometown fans again tonight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada U-20 women's soccer coach Bob Birarda arrives at provincial court for a sentencing hearing in North Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Birarda pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of touching a young person for a sexual purpose. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crown seeks 2-year sentence for former Whitecaps coach’s sex offences

Offences involving four different people took place between 1988 and 2008

Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada U-20 women's soccer coach Bob Birarda arrives at provincial court for a sentencing hearing in North Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Birarda pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of touching a young person for a sexual purpose. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women's hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The National Hockey League club announced Tuesday that Poulin, a four-time Olympic medallist with Canada’s national women’s hockey team, is joining the team as a part-time player development consultant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Canadiens hire Olympic hero Marie-Philip Poulin as player development consultant

Women’s hockey star will hold the job while continuing to play with Canada’s national team

Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women's hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. The National Hockey League club announced Tuesday that Poulin, a four-time Olympic medallist with Canada’s national women’s hockey team, is joining the team as a part-time player development consultant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A Canada soccer logo is seen on Alphonso Davies in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 24, 2019. A planned training session for Canada’s men’s soccer team was scrapped Friday amid ongoing discussions about player compensation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada men back at practice after meeting with soccer federation

Canada set to play Thursday a week after refusing to play scheduled match due to a labour dispute

A Canada soccer logo is seen on Alphonso Davies in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 24, 2019. A planned training session for Canada’s men’s soccer team was scrapped Friday amid ongoing discussions about player compensation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Colorado Avalanche’s Gabriel Landeskog (92), Artturi Lehkonen (62), Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period NHL conference finals action in Edmonton on Monday, June 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Lehkonen nets OT winner as Avs sweep aside Oilers and reach Stanley Cup final

Colorado finishes off Edmonton with 6-5 triumph

Colorado Avalanche’s Gabriel Landeskog (92), Artturi Lehkonen (62), Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrate a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during third period NHL conference finals action in Edmonton on Monday, June 6, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Bayern’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann, left, gives instructions to Tanguy Nianzou, center, and Alphonso Davies during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, Sunday, May 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst )

Canada-Panama match canceled in labor, equal pay dispute

Dispute includes a demand that the women’s national team get equal match fees

Bayern’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann, left, gives instructions to Tanguy Nianzou, center, and Alphonso Davies during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, Sunday, May 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst )